Business Spotlight
BYOB to Happy Hour this month, and be sure to get it at Hometown Liquor LLC in Rugby! Mary & Derrick Klein opened Hometown Liquor LLC a couple months ago and are featuring a wider selection of beer in their remodeled space! You will be able to find all of the varieties in what once was the garage to their building that they have converted into a walk-in cooler! A big attraction is their beer that is sourced locally in ND from Half-Brothers in Grand forks. They are carrying their pickle beer as well as their salt & lime craft beer!
When I asked Mary why she decided to explore this venture, and what I learned is that entrepreneurship is in her veins. Granted she isn’t selling couches and rugs anymore, but she couldn’t resist the opportunity as it presented itself. Mary has a small team keeping things light and fun in Hometown Liquor since her and Derrick are full time farmers as well. The hours of Hometown Liquor LLC are 10AM-8 PM Monday-Saturday and 12PM-6PM on Sundays. Every other week they are hosting sample testing. You can find the days and times of those on their Facebook page! If you have questions, feel free to call the store during their hours at 701-776-6767.
Posted on June 28th, 2024
Recipe of the Month
American Flag Layered Taco Dip
Ingredients:
Refried beans
Taco seasoning
Sour cream
Mozzarella cheese
Tomatoes
Black Olives
Guacamole
In a bowl, combine the refried beans and taco seasoning. In a 9x13 baking dish, start layering your ingredients. Spread the bean mixture along the bottom of the dish. I suggest using a silicone spatula for this step so that you can easily spread the bean dip mixture. Continue layering your ingredients by spreading a layer of guacamole on top of the bean mixture. Then layer the sour cream. Use the remaining ingredients to create a flag pattern on top of the sour cream layer. Used the diced tomatoes for the red stripes and the mozzarella cheese for the white stripes. You'll use the black olives for the "blue" stars. Cover and let sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
This is a fun cooking activity to have your kids help with and get creative in making the flag.
Enjoy!
Posted on June 28th, 2024
Claim Corner
It’s been a scary topic in the headlines recently. The "silent killer." If you are like myself, you had never heard of this fatal topic in the boating realm. Carbon monoxide can be a silent killer on houseboats and other recreational vessels. Each year, boaters are injured or killed by preventable carbon monoxide poisoning. Boaters have been poisoned by carbon monoxide in situations such as while setting fishing lines or performing maintenance on their boats while the engine is running. Boats are particularly susceptible to high levels of CO due to their close quarters, limited ventilation and potential for exhaust leaks. CO can accumulate in deadly concentrations behind ski boats, especially when protective coverings are used and the boat is underway. Results show that even sitting on a ski boat swim deck while an engine is running could be fatal. Exposure to engine exhaust can cause a skier or swimmer to faint and ultimately drown. This can happen on boats, with carbon monoxide building up around a swim deck or when boats are traveling at slow speeds, like when wake boarding and wake surfing. The direction of the wind can also affect it. Carbon monoxide does not have a smell, it does not have a taste, it has no color, no form, you can’t detect it with any of the human senses, it requires electronics to be able to determine whether or not it is present. There are many ways to protect your family from the dangers of CO.
1. Use a marine carbon monoxide detector. These work like smoke alarms in a house. They sense the levels of CO and emit a load siren.
2. Ensure proper ventilation. Open hatches and windows in a cabin and also be aware that carbon monoxide can collect under a canopy.
3. Inspect exhaust system regularly. Look and listen for leaks in the exhaust system.
4. Avoid the Transom. The transom is where carbon monoxide collects. Stay away from the transom while the vessel is idling or underway. Also, avoid other idling vessels.
The CDC says every year more than 400 people in America die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of CO poisoning may include severe headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, fainting, and death. Low levels are even dangerous causing shortness of breath, mild nausea and a headache. If you suspect CO poisoning, immediately get the victim to fresh air and see medical care.
Posted on June 28th, 2024
You don’t need it, until you need it
By Amy Streifel
Have you had the thought that you should consider obtaining some life insurance? Why not find out what it would cost to protect your loved ones! Our life insurance specialist, Katie Fegley, is full of all sorts of knowledge. I can usually rattle off any question and she knows the answer. She just wasn't sure how I could get my boyfriend to up his life insurance and add me to it. Oh well. For a long time life insurance didn't mean much to me. I really didn't know what it all covered and thought it was something just for funerals. I also thought life insurance was just a big payout if your husband dies mysteriously...There are a lot of misconceptions about life insurance. A big myth is that life insurance is not available if you have a pre-existing condition. That is simply untrue. There is a life insurance plan out there for virtually anyone. We encourage people to check anyway, you’d be surprised at how affordable it can be! …………….
Even if you think there might not be something available for you, Katie our life specialist, and did I mention award winning agent, can find a plan that’s right for you! Maybe you already have a policy through work? Remember that generally you cannot take those with you should you leave your employer. 50% of people overestimate the total costs associated with life insurance. The best time is NOW! Katie is ready to provide you with a quote so you can find out how affordable it really is and worthwhile!
How life insurance can help protect your family financially:
Þ Pay for funeral costs
Þ Pay the bills
Þ Pay off outstanding debt, ie. mortgage, credit cards,
cars, student loans, etc.
Þ Continue a family business
Þ Finance your children's education
Þ Protect spouse’s retirement plans
Þ Tax saving purpose
Þ Source of Saving
Þ Peace of mind
Posted on June 28th, 2024
Business Spotlight
"We are a group of people who came together to give Harvey a restaurant," said Melissa Faul when I asked her what she wanted the people to know about Hometown Tavern. This new restaurant has a dynamic model with a rotation of cooks in the back throughout the week, but each person involved had an intense urgency to make this happen! The nightly menus look something like this:
Mondays are Burger Nights with Melissa & Kennedy there to visit with!
Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays – Just Good BBQ is preparing the cuisine.
Wednesdays features our well-known cook, the fabulous -Jess.
Saturdays is a fine dining experience with Scott Fronk .
Sundays are always a Fun Menu Surprise with Melissa & Kennedy.
They are open from 4-8 PM for dinner, but they also have breakfast Monday – Friday 7-10 AM with Amy Bollingberg!
This model is unique, and it is working because people are finding a balance, and they are not burning themselves out. They keep it fun & light as they bring honor to Old Harvey from the inside out! Be sure to stop in, check out their photos of Old Harvey while you enjoy the food & company.
Posted on May 31st, 2024
Recipe of the Month
Loaded Cauliflower
Casserole with Chicken
24 oz Frozen Cauliflower Florets cooked according to package instructions—or you can use steamed fresh!
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
1/2 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
1 green onions thinly sliced
1 lb chicken breast cooked and shredded/cubed small
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Place the cooked cauliflower in a strainer and gently press the cauliflower with a flat spoon in order to remove some excess liquid. In a large bowl combine the sour cream, salt, pepper, onion powder, 1 1/2 cheese, 1/2 of the cooked bacon and 1/2 of the green onion. Stir until well combined, then add the cauliflower and chicken, Gently stir to coat the chicken and cauliflower in the sour cream mixture. Transfer this mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake for 30 min. Remove from oven and top with remaining green onion. Serve and enjoy! This is so versatile, so you could add other veggies or proteins!
Posted on May 31st, 2024
Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? …. I mean Michelle!
Some of you may have heard that Michelle’s family moved to Minot, but the good news is she’s still here, doing her same job as she has been for the past 11 years! The only thing that’s moved is her office chair...to Minot that is. Michelle is still with NuLine and still servicing her clients as before! She is available by calling the Harvey office or by calling her direct at 701-852-4500. Her new office is located downtown Minot at 24 1st St NE. She also has our crop agent, Katie Fegley in the office there. If you are in the area, stop in and say hello!
Posted on May 31st, 2024
Claim Corner
I had a hard time searching for a photo for this article as the they were way too scary. So I found a not so scary picture. You guessed it, this claim corner is about mice! The word alone makes me shutter. Living on a farm, they unfortunately came with the territory. One of my jobs on the farm was unloading the grain trucks. My dad would get it set up with the auger and I would unload. He always told me to open the grain bin, which was my least favorite part. I was so terrified there were mice and there always were. I would fling open the grain bin door and take off running. Mice are not only scary, they are destructive. They get into anything and everything. On a farm, no machinery or grain truck is safe. They are famous for gnawing through wires which can cause electrical fires. One place they love to nest in, is a lawn mower, and why? Because there is usually mounds of grass on the side of riding lawn mowers. At least mine there were. Knowing this, before I went to mow lawn, I would start banging on the door to scare off any rodents. Not sure if it helped, but I felt better. Damage to your home and other structures from rodents is usually not covered by a standard homeowners policy. So, if you have damages, you may be responsible which makes it imperative to prevent rodent damage. We have seen auto total loss claims due to mice, take caution on your autos that are parked as well. They need to be checked often.
Tips to keep mice out of your stuff:
Keep the doors to structures closed as much as possible. Caulk any openings to buildings.
Put birdseed, dogfood and any other food stored near lawn mower or autos in air-tight containers.
If you have wood piled up next to the garage, move it to another area.
Try bounce dyer sheets in a building.
Peppermint oil deters mice! They even make mint scented garage bags.
Cats!
Posted on May 31st, 2024
It’s National Insurance Awareness Month!
By Amy Streifel
Don’t get too excited people. We don’t get a fancy holiday or even a day off. National Insurance Month is merely just there for us to observe. Now, if our boss gave us the day off, it would be June 28th to be precise (hint, hint Chad). What does this day mean? It is really just a reminder. A reminder that anything can happen and to be prepared for an emergency. We are entering into the season with the most claim activity. Summer is the time of year where there are a lot more potential risks. We see claims such as, weather claims, fire by lightening, grilling accidents, fireworks damage, and the list goes on. The point is, you can never be too prepared for tragedy to strike. Fires. They are one of the most destructive risks. Some things to think about, does your family have a fire escape plan? What would you do if your family has a fire or a tornado warning. In the moment there is so much to think about and having a plan in place would be one less worry. Do you have your important documents and valuables in a safe? Also, having the correct coverages on your insurance policy will save you a big headache, and financial loss. It is vital to have your home and buildings covered correctly if you should lose them to a fire. Some things to ask yourself, does your family have a severe weather plan in place. Do your kids know where to go and what to do if a storm popped up quickly or if the house was on fire? Bad weather can strike at a moments notice and you may not have time to put a plan together. Wind, lightening and hail are very common this time of year. Your home and vehicles and even your businesses are also at risk, and again, having the correct coverages makes all the difference in these times of tragedy.
In the summer, we see a number of claims not due to nature, but due to unforeseen accidents by our customers. Anytime you are working with fire, whether it be grilling at a BBQ or lighting off fireworks it’s a risk. You never think something bad could happen until it does. Does your family know where emergency supplies are in case something does happen?
Summertime is a time for traveling, which also presents many risks in itself. Car accidents and boating accidents are at an all time high in the summer. Do you feel comfortable with the coverages on your vehicles and summer toys?
We are here to help you. We always want to make sure you have coverage for the what ifs. Talk to your agent and find out if you are prepared.
Posted on May 31st, 2024
Business Spotlight
Have you heard? McKenzie Blumhagen is leading a BIO Girls in the Harvey community for the FIRST TIME. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently declared a national emergency in youth mental health, as rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation have skyrocketed in the past few years. No one has fared worse than girls. 1 in 4 girls fall into a clinical mental health diagnosis,
6 in 10 adolescent girls battle low self-esteem, reporting they feel unhappy and unsatisfied with themselves most of the time. When self-esteem is low, girls give up the things they love, avoid failure, seek external validation, embody perfectionistic tendencies, and often find themselves depressed and anxious. These tendencies lead to a 75% chance of engaging in destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, eating disorders, promiscuity, poor academic performance and self-harm or suicide.
Proven to significantly increase self-esteem, BIO Girls, a 501c3 nonprofit, empowers girls to believe in their unique purpose while increasing their confidence and sense of belonging. Extensive research has shown that 7 out of 10 BIO Girls participants experienced an increase in self-esteem and 50% experienced a decrease in anxiety.
BIO Girls reaches over 2,700 girls annually across the Midwest.
Posted on May 2nd, 2024