• Reduce your speed and allowplenty of time to stop.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding.
• Turn lights on to increase visibility to other motorists.
• Keep windshield and lights clear of ice and snow.
• Be careful on bridges and overpasses because they will freeze first.
• Don’t assume your automobile can handle all conditions.  Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive autos can encounter trouble on winter roads.
• Allow extra time to reach your destination in hazardous weather conditions.

If you have any emergency claim, please contact the insurance company directly or click here for our emergency claims contact list.

That’s what buying local and supporting your local stores and businesses is all about.

Of course, shopping locally isn’t just about money – it’s about making sure communities and downtowns stay vital, attract residents and give youngsters a reason to stick around when they get out of high school or college. It’s about supporting people – your neighbors and friends. But, keeping the money local where it will do the most good, it will help achieve those altruistic goals.

Money spent at a locally-owned business stays in the local economy, benefiting residents and area merchants through wages, and the subsequent purchase of local goods and services. Locally-owned businesses not only create jobs, pay their employees more and add to the tax base, there’s an environmental benefit to surrounding ecosystems by having less traffic, sprawl, congestion and unproductive land use. Plus, non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from major companies.

The clearest way to make the point about the value of shopping locally is with a quick math lesson. One study estimates that shopping at a local independent store instead of a chain or box store means 68% of what you spend immediately stays and circulates through the community; shop at a chain, and that number drops to 43%. Shop online at a national site, and 0% stays here. Another study shows that for every $100 spent at a local business, $45 remains in the local economy; for every $100 spent at a big-box store, only $14 stays in the local economy. Either way, buying local has big benefits.

 Why buy local:

1. More job opportunities.
2. More diverse stores and businesses.
3. Vibrant, thriving towns and neighborhoods.
4. Better home values.
5. More support opportunities for non-profits and schools.
6. Better involvement in local activities – boards, charities, volunteering.

 Keep your money working where you live – buy local.

Improving the energy efficiency of your home – and saving a whole lot of money – is as easy as doing a home energy assessment, or audit. In fact, you can get up to $2,500 in incentives from Efficiency Vermont upon successful completion of your energy efficiency home improvements, and additional Federal tax credits may be available.

While not everyone is adept at DIY projects, there are many simple things anyone can do. Just a thorough walk-through of your house is enough to spot many problems. So you can prioritize any necessary energy efficiency upgrades, start by making an inspection checklist with space to write down any problems you found.

Here’s what to look for:

Air Leaks & Drafts – Obvious air leaks are easy to spot, and easily the biggest heat-loss culprits in your home. Potential energy savings from reducing drafts can range from 5% to 30% per year, not to mention the increased comfort level. Windows and doors are the worst offenders. If they rattle, they leak. Look for airspaces or daylight around edges, and caulk or weatherstrip. You can also use low-cost, easy-to-install plastic sheets. New energy efficient windows and doors are a great investment, and are more affordable than they used to be. Check:

Doors, windows, gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring, wall and ceiling joints, electrical outlets, switch plates, fireplace dampers, attic hatches, wall- or window-mounted air conditioners, gaps around pipes and wires, foundation seals, and don’t forget mail slots.

Exteriors – Inspect all areas on your home’s exterior, especially where two different building materials meet like exterior corners, siding/chimneys joints and foundation/exterior siding joints. Caulk or fill gaps around faucets, outlets and any wiring. Make sure the caulking around windows and doors is in good condition, and that there are no cracks or holes in the mortar, foundation or siding.

Insulation – Appropriate levels of insulation will keep heat from escaping through ceilings and walls. There are many choices nowadays, from fiberglass sheets to blown-in, foam board, spray foam and others. Environmentally options are growing, too. A lot of older homes in Vermont were built with inadequate insulation (as anyone who lives one knows). Upgrading can be done in stages as time and budget allows. Check:

Attic – Fiberglass between the floor joists or blown-in fiberglass, cellulose or foam are the most common. You can never have too much, but make sure vents aren’t blocked. Seal openings for pipes, ductwork, and chimneys with an expanding foam caulk or other sealant. Make sure the hatch is as insulated as the rest of the space and fits snugly.

Walls – These are tougher. The easiest thing to do is turn off the circuit breaker to an outlet or lightswitch on an exterior wall, remove the cover and see what’s in there. Ideally it should be filled with foam, or at least fiberglass. Blown-in insulation can settle, so look hard.

Basement – In unheated basements there should be insulation under the floors above and along the top of the foundation where it meets the floor, extending down a few feet. Water heater should have an insulation jacket, and hot water pipes and furnace ducts should be insulated.

Furnace – Get it cleaned and inspected every year, and change filters regularly.

There are many other things you can do – look at EfficiencyVermont.com and EnergySavers.gov for more ideas, resources and ways to be efficient. And maybe even get rebates and tax credits, too. After all, throwing money into your bank account is better than throwing it out the window.

This year’s team included Noyle Johnson Group staffers Holly McEnany making her fourth appearance and Amanda LaCasse who came out for her first. About 2,000 people participated in the fourth annual, five-mile cancer walk in Dorset Park. Team Smedy came in 3^rd in fundraising, raising $8,620.00, with staffer and Team Captain Dayle Smedy topping the fund raising stats with a whopping total of $5,246 raised personally. Says Ms. Smedy, “This was my 4^th year as captain of Team Smedy and the event is truly inspiring to any Cancer Survivor. I am grateful to have an event like this.”

Amy Deavitt, the community executive at the American Cancer Society, expects the event to raise more than $200,000 for cancer research and programs to support cancer patients. While the Walk is a national event, it does have serious local impact: Of the 3,500 or so Vermonters diagnosed with cancer this year, 968 received help through one of the services. Another 2,000 Vermonters previously diagnosed with cancer also received help.

Everyone at Noyle Johnson Group is immensely proud of Team Smedy for jumping in with both feet in the effort to save lives through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

Team Smedy is organized by Dayle Smedy of Noyle Johnson’s Montpelier office, and this is the fourth year this committed group will be participating. According to Dayle, “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is more than just the name of a walk; it describes the progress we’re making together to end breast cancer. I look forward to welcoming back our team members from last year, and many new members.”

So far the team has raised $7,116 for the cause – an awesome achievement. If you’d like to make a donation to support Team Smedy and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, organize a team of your own or even just get out there and cheer on the walkers, you can learn more at makingstrides.acsevents.org

Remember, each step you’ll take is personal. Each dollar you raise will help save lives.

Details

Date: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011
Location: Dorset Park, South Burlington 05403
Registration starts: 11 a.m.
Walk start: 1 p.m.
Length of walk: 5 miles
Questions? Contact strides_vermont@cancer.org

Tim Ayer – (802) 229-8184 or tayer@nwjinsurance.com

Dave O’Brien – (802) 223-5090 or dobrien@nwjinsurance.com

Cody Patno – (802) 249-8777 or cpatno@nwjinsurance.com

Sean Starr – (802) 734-0525 or sstarr@nwjinsurance.com

In addition to contacting us, many of our insurance carriers have mobilized emergency response claims teams.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us or your insurance company.

Sincerely,

Noyle W Johnson Insurance Group

Print out the following checklist and keep on hand:

Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days
     — non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
     — foods for infants or the elderly
     — snack foods
     — non-electric can opener
     — cooking tools / fuel
     — paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items – for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone  set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
     — insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools – keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Pet care items
     — proper identification / immunization records / medications
     — ample supply of food and water
     — a carrier or cage
     — muzzle and leash

With an undefeated record in district play with a record of 6-0 and their first Vermont State Championship win since 1984, the team’s motto says it best: “Play today, win today.”

The team’s dedication and discipline is an inspiration to us all – great job boys!