Dog Trick Thursday!

Today is Thursday, and that means Dog Trick Thursday! A trick that is fun to teach your dog, but takes some time to practice is “roll over”.

Start by getting your dog in the “down” position. Once he is down, hold a treat in one hand, and with the other, gently push him to his side. When he is laying on his side, hold the treat near his nose, and move your hand to the side so his head follows. Where his nose goes, his body will follow. When he started to roll onto his back say “roll over” and give him the treat when he gets to his side.

This is a trick that takes some dedicated practice, but once your dog learns it, it is a fun trick to show off. Winnie and Phinn love “roll over” so much, we often find them rolling around in the yard by themselves!

Until next time…

Wedding Insurance

With the Royal Wedding almost here, Winnie and Phinn thought it would be appropriate to share some information with you on wedding insurance!

Wedding (and other special event) insurance can be purchased to reimburse you for if the event is cancelled due to weather, death, illness and serious injury. The policy can also provide coverage for reimbursed costs such as the minister, florist or band does not show up.

Liability can also be purchased in case you end up being liable for property damage or injury due to your event. Additional endorsements can be purchased for the tuxes and gowns, and gifts and jewelry (like the wedding band!!)

The premiums are relatively cheap, ranging from $100 to $500 or so, and provide you with protection in case something causes your special day to be not so special.

Until next time…

Community Event!

Looking for something to do this week? Stop into Gallery 263 at 263 Main Street in Nashua, where they are hosting ART IN BLOOM until the end of April. ART IN BLOOM is a collective art exhibit featuring many artists. Gallery 263 is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5pm, and its free to the public. 5% of sales will go to a children's charity.

Hurry up and get down to Gallery 263 before the end of the month, and view the wonderful pieces of art reflecting on the arrival of Spring!!

Until next time...

Boat Insurance

Winnie and Phinn explained some coverages for motorcycles, but now that spring is here, there is another coverage that many people should have, and that is for their boats!

Many people are unaware that they need insurance on their boats and personal watercraft, and don’t have any. Winnie and Phinn would like to explain boat coverage to you and help you understand what is covered and where you can get coverage.

On a standard homeowner policy, there is typically between $1,000 and $1,500 for physical damage to the boat, motor and trailer. Liability is not included, but can be endorsed to the policy.

Often times, it is easier and relatively inexpensive to purchase a personal watercraft policy. This combines liability for property damage and bodily injury, as well as liability for your guests using your boat, medical expense payments to you and your passengers, and physical damage and theft coverage. Like automobile policies, valuation for the property is often on an actual cash value, meaning depreciation is taken into account, and the approximate market value is used in the event of a total loss. Agreed amount value can be used as well, meaning you and the company determines an agreed value for the boat. This is often times used in collector car policies as well.

If you visit the Insurance Information Institute (iii.org) you can find some safety tips, as well as tips to protecting and caring for your vessel.

We hope you have a nice Easter! Winnie and Phinn sure did!!

Until next time…

41st Earth Day!

Today marks the 41^st Earth Day. Earth Day is an celebration of the environment movement and ecological awareness. Millions of Americans each year pledge to reduce, reuse and recycle, and participate in programs and rallies in their communities for the purpose of helping the environment.

In 1970, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day. “The objective was to get a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy, and, finally, force this issue permanently onto the national political agenda” Senator Nelson said. Senator Nelson’s wishes certainly came true, as in July of 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency was created to enforce pollution legislation, and Earth Day would become an annual event!

You can learn more about Earth Day by visiting the EPA’s site, and find out about events and ways to help in your community. Winnie and Phinn just love the outdoors, and want you to help out anyway you can! Until next time..

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Dog Trick Thursday!

Sometimes playing with your dogs gets them all wound up, and they need a reminder to calm down. Today, Winnie and Phinn are going to share the "crate" command, but you can also use "go to your spot" and "bed" as well.

1. First, hold a treat in your hand so they can smell it.
2. Direct them to the location.
3. Toss the treat on the bed or in the crate, and say “bed” or “crate” while releasing their collar.
4. Keep practicing until you no longer need the treat!

This is a fairly simple trick that will save you a lot of time when you need your puppy to go to their special area. Sometimes, without even saying it Winnie and Phinn need a little quite time to themselves, and we’ll find one of them snoozing away in the crate!

Until next time...

Community Event!

Today we decided to share information on a Rabies Clinic for your pets in Hudson this Saturday April 23, 2011. The event is hosted by the Hudson Junior Woman's Club and Dr. Allen J. Conti of the Hudson Animal Hospital will be at the Hudson Animal Control Facility at 6 Constitution Dr. in Hudson from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm.

There is a fee of $10 per animal. A responsible adult must accompany every animal treated, and pets must be kept on a leash. For those owners residing in Hudson, a representative of the Town Clerk's office will be in attendance to provide dog licensing. All dogs owned by Hudson residents must be licensed by May 1, and a rabies vaccination certificate is required for licensing. The proceeds from this event will help to fund scholarships and other future projects planned by the Hudson Juniors to benefit the town and its citizens.

This is a great way to make sure your pet is healthy and up to date on their shots! No need to make an appointment just drop in! Winnie and Phinn are all set on their rabies shots!

Until next time...

From the Kitchen!

With Easter around the corner we thought it would be fun to share a cookie we have made as an Easter treat for many years! Everyone in my house always looks forward to these!

Bird's Nest Cookies!

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups flaked coconut

2 sticks butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cups "M&M’s"®, Plain, Peanut, Almond or Crispy Chocolate Candies for Easter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Spread coconut on non-greased cookie sheet. Toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until it turns light golden, about 25 minutes.
Remove coconut from cookie sheet and set aside.

2. Increase oven temperature to 350°F. In large bowl, add butter and sugar & whip until light & fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla.

3. In medium bowl, combine flour and salt. Blend into creamed mixture.

4. Form dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll heavily into toasted coconut. Place coconut cookies 2 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make indentation with thumb in center of each cookie.

5. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cookies and cool completely. Fill indentations with "M&M’s"® Chocolate Candies for Easter.

We hope you enjoy these cookies! We are always open to trying out some new recipes so please share with us some favorites from your family!

Until next time...

Marathon Monday!

Happy Monday and it's Marathon Day in Boston! We want to wish all the runners a great race!

This year there are runners from 67 different countries coming together to race in the 115th Boston Marathon! An estimated 500,000 spectators line the 26.2-mile course each Patriots’ Day to view the Marathon in person. According to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau President and CEO, Patrick Moscaritolo, the Boston Marathon will bring 132.2 million in spending to the Greater Boston region. This year there are 26,923 official runners!

Check out this link for marathon updates and to search from someone you know running!

Until next time...

Today in History!

It sure feels like spring is here for real now with this nice weather we have been having! We hope everyone has had a good work week and those taxes are in so you can relax this weekend!!

Time to take a break from your emails, phone calls and work to fill yourself in on a little history of today!

• 1865 – 9 hours after being shot by John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln dies in Washington, D.C. His funeral was held on April 19^th, and he would later be buried in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois, two weeks later.

• 1912 – At 2:20 am, a little over two hours after striking an iceberg, the RMS Titanic split in two and sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Based on the protocol of “women and children first” 1,517 people went down with the ship as a result of insufficient lifeboats. In 1913, new regulations were created including an ice patrol to monitor icebergs in North Atlantic shipping lanes, as well as requiring ships to maintain a 24-hour radio watch.

• 1947 – At Age 28, Jack “Jackie” Roosevelt Robinson becomes the first African-American player to play in Major League Baseball, for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and breaking the more than 50 year old color barrier. After serving in the Army, the Negro League, Robinson would become a historic figure in baseball history. He helped the Dodgers win six National League pennants, one World Series, was voted an All-Star six times, won the N.L. MVP award in 1949, and was the inaugural N.L. Rookie of the Year in 1947. On April 15, 1997, 50 years after Robinson’s historic achievement, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig retired the “42” worn by Robinson, the first-ever number retired by all teams in the league.

• 1967 – Between 100,000 and 125,000 people march in parades in New York City to listen to speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Floyd McKissick, Stokely Carmichael and Dr. Benjamin Spoke, protesting the Vietnam War.

Until next time...

Dog Trick Thursday!

Sometimes when you’re playing with your puppies, they get too aggressive and won’t let go! Phinn loves to play tug, and is quite strong. Today on Dog Trick Thursday, we’ll explain how to teach your dog to “drop it”!

First, make sure you have some treats. Next, throw a ball, or get a rope toy and have them put it in their mouth. When they come back to you, hold a treat in your closed fist and firmly say “drop it!” while holding the treat near their mouth. As soon as they smell the treat, the mouth should start to water and that toy will fall right out!

As with any trick, keep at it until you can say the command without the aid of a treat. Winnie and Phinn love sharing their favorite tricks with you and your four legged friend, so be sure to check back for more tips! If you have a trick you want us to share, feel free to leave us a comment!

Until next time...

Community Event!

Get your children's picture taken with the Easter Bunny! From now until April 23rd, the Easter Bunny will be at the Pheasant Lane Mall! Located in the center near the Macy's entrance, kids have the chance to sit and get their picture taken. The Easter Bunny will be available Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday 12 to 6 pm! Visit the mall's website for more information!

Know of anything fun going on in the community that's coming up?? Let Winnie and Phinn know; they are always up for fun and looking for stuff to do!!

Until next time...

From the Kitchen!

The awesome weather yesterday had us thinking about and craving some yummy summer desserts! We decided to share one of our favorites!

Triple-Berry Trifle!

Prep Time- 15 minutes

Total Time- 3 Hours

Servings- 12

Ingredients:

1 box of white cake mix (water, vegtable oil, & eggs whites called for in mix)

1 pint blueberries

1 pint raspberries

1 pint strawberries, halved

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup raspberry-flavored liqueur or use cranberry-raspberry juice

1 cup whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make cake as directed on box for 13x9 pan. Run knife around sides to loosen cake. Cool completely about 1 hour.

2. While cake cools in medium bowl gently mix berries, sugar, and raspberry liqueur.

3. In chilled large bowl, beat whipping cream and powdered sugar with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form.

4. Cut cake into 1 inch pieces. In glass trifle arrange half the pieces, Spoon half of the berry mixture over the cake, top with half of the whipped cream. Repeat layers. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

This is a great dessert to share with a crowd and very refreshing on hot days! Enjoy!

Until next time...

Motorcycle Insurance

Springtime is here, and motorcycles are out and about! Just like your auto insurance, you should consider purchasing a policy for your motorcycle as well.

A motorcycle policy has coverages similar to an auto policy, but tailored for your 2 wheeled vehicle.

· Liability Coverage – This coverage protects against bodily injury and property damage that you cause. In New Hampshire this is called “split limits”, meaning there are separate limits for bodily injury and property damage. You may see “Bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident, property damage: $100,000” on your declarations page. This means that in an accident, there are limits, or the total amount that will be paid for injuries or damage caused by your motorcycle.

· Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – This limit has the same “split limits” as whatever you have chosen for your liability coverage, but it protects you in the event another driver causes injury or damage to you or your motorcycle, and either doesn’t have any coverage, or inadequate coverage limits to cover the incurred expenses.

· Comprehensive Coverage – This coverage protects your bike itself form damages that are caused by a loss other than collision. This includes fire, theft and vandalism. The insurance company pays for the damage, minus your deductible to repair the motorcycle, and covers is on an Actual Cash Value basis.

· Collision Coverage – Collision coverage protects your motorcycle from you getting into an accident (colliding) with another object. Like the comprehensive section, the company pays the damages minus your deductible, on an Actual Cash Value basis. Both of these coverages cover only standard, factory equipment, so it is important to discuss any customized equipment or accessories you have added to make sure they are covered as well.

Motorcycles are a fun and enjoyable way of getting around, but it is important to be safe at all times. Both those who own motorcycles, and those who do not need to be aware of each other, and respect and share the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.gov) 47% of all fatal motorcycle accidents in 2008 were caused by collision with another vehicle.

Please be safe, wear a helmet and enjoy the ride! As always, this is an important coverage you should discuss with your agent at Coffey Insurance.

Until next time…

Today in History!

Happy Friday! It's sunny, warm & woohoo it's the Red Sox home opener!

Today we have our #1 secretary on the phones at 2 Wellman Ave! So feel free to give Winnie a call to help you with any insurance questions!

And now our interesting facts of today in history!

• 563 BC – Buddhists celebrate the birth of their religious icon, Gautama Buddha.

• 1974 – Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves broke Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs by hitting his 715^th career homer. He hit this legendary shot in the 4^th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers off pitcher Al Downing. Aaron would retire in 1976 with 755 career home runs.

• 1990 – ABC’s highly anticipated drama Twin Peaks debuted on the network. It set record ratings over the course of the season, and was nominated for eight Emmys, winning two. The second season faired well in the ratings in the beginning, but eventually was pulled from the air due to deteriorating quality.

• 1994 – Legendary Grunge rock band Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain is found dead in his home in Seattle, by apparent suicide.

• 2005 – Eric Rudolph, the man behind the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing and a string of several other bombings, agrees to plead guilty. He would be sentenced to four consecutive life terms in a federal prison in Colorado.

Until next time...

Tips for Spring Cleanups!

Hopefully we’ve seen the last of old man winter. As the weather continues to get nicer and warmer, it’s time to start thinking spring and get that spring cleaning done.

Winnie and Phinn want to share some ideas from SparkPeople on spring tips! (http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=1073)

1. Reevaluate you cleaning products. Lots of cleaning products have toxic chemicals that can be more harmful to the environment then what you’re cleaning! Try looking into products by Seventh Generation, Biokleen, or other companies that are “nature friendly”. You can also make your own supplies as well! (Maybe put the link in here, because it lists the “recipes”)
2. Add some green around the house. Plants can help purify the air in your house! Consider planting a few small plants like English Ivy, Spider Plants or Peace Lilies in rooms you spend the most time in.
3. Air Dry your laundry. Even with EnergyStar and other energy efficient driers, consider hang-drying some of your laundry, especially sheets, comforters and other larger items. Not only will this help cut down on energy costs, but you’ll also cut down on pollution, extend the life of your clothes and get a fresh spring air scent as well!
4. Cut down on paper towels. Most people clean out their closets and dressers in the spring. Donate some clothes to places like Salvation Army and Good Will, but keep some items like t-shirts and turn them into rags. You’ll cut down on paper waste, and will have reusable clothes to cut back on expenses.
5. Invest in a reusable mop. Swifer pads make life easy, you just mop and toss. However, they can get expense, and are wasteful. Consider spending a little extra on a reusable mop, preferably one that is absorbent and can be machine washed. It will save you in the long run.
6. 

Hopefully these tips will help you get in the mood for spring cleaning and no more snow! Until next time…

Community Event!

Any plans for the weekend? We have a community event in Nashua to share with you! Starting tomorrow the Nashua Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the "Giant Carnival" at Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst Street. The fun starts 4/7/2011 and runs through 4/17/2011 so there are plenty of days for you to stop in for the fun of rides and games!

Check out this link for more information on the carnival itself and if you "like" fiesta shows on facebook you can get an extra coupon! Bonus!

Have anything fun going on in the community that's coming up soon?? Let Winnie and Phinn know they are always up for fun and looking for stuff to do!!

Until next time...

From the Kitchen!

Today we have a very simple dinner and/or appetizer recipe to share! These "Easy Pizzettes" are the perfect thing to make during the week on a busy night or a great crowd pleaser you coud bring to a party.

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: 16

Ingredients:

1 cup pizza sauce

8 English muffins, split, toasted

2 cups shredded provolone cheese (8 oz)

Assorted toppings, such as sliced peppers,

sliced red onion, olives & mushrooms (2/3 cup each)

1. Heat oven to 425 F. Spread 1 tablespoon pizza sauce over each English muffin half. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon shredded cheese. Arrange the toppings on pizzas and sprinkle each with remainig cheese.

2. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted!

Enjoy!!

Until next time...

Sometimes Accidents Happen...

As careful of a driver as you are, and as slow as you drive, unfortunately, accidents do happen. Winnie and Phinn are more than happy to give you tips on protecting your car and helpful safety ideas, but today they wanted to give you some pointers on what to do after an accident.

1. Stop your car and see if there are any injuries. Remember, you shouldn’t move your car after any accident, but make sure you’re clear of danger from oncoming traffic.
2. Call the police and tell them where the accident is, and if there are any injuries.
3. Call a tow truck, and take steps to protect your car from more damage, and let other drivers know that you’re in an accident. Most roadside kits you can purchase contain road flares or reflective emergency signs.
4. Ask the police for a copy of the accident report. This often times can help expedite the claims process.
5. Gather information from the other driver. Important information you’ll need is:
1. Name and address of the driver (and owner, if the driver does not own the vehicle) as well as any passengers
2. Year make and model of the vehicle
3. License plate numbers
4. Driver’s license numbers
5. Insurance carrier & agent

If you have an accident with an object or a parked car, try to find the owner. If you cannot locate them, leave a note with your name, address and a contact number. Keep details of the accident handy for when they call you.

As always, your agent at Coffey Insurance will help you through every step of the claims process to help you out in this unfortunate situation!

Until next time...