Recipe of the Month
Monkey Bread
McKenzie’s Grandma Sue’s Recipe
We know with Thanksgiving around the corner the sheer panic of "what to make for breakfast for everyone" when you are the host can be overwhelming . We also know you want everyone to feel treated for the holiday so here is a quick sweet breakfast that everyone will enjoy!
Ingredients:
4 Pkg country-style Pillsbury’s Cinnamon Rolls
2/3 C. Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 stick butter
1 C. brown sugar
Instructions: Cut each biscuit in quarters. Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil. Grease a bundt cake pan. Shake biscuits in a covered bowl with sugar and cinnamon mixture; place in the bundt pan. Pour boiled mixture over the top and bake at 350o for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Top with powder sugar glaze. Enjoy!
Posted on November 17th, 2023
RING OF FIRE
By Amy Streifel
Its scary to see fires in the headlines. Whether it’s a business or a home, fires can be devastating. For that reason alone, I have always taught my children the importance of fire safety and am very diligent of what to do in an emergency. I have a smoke detector in every room and practice fire escapes with the kids. I have also led by example when it comes to fire safety. One example a few years ago, I happened to be driving in the country when I saw a smoke ring in the distance. So, I did what every nosy person usually does, I drove towards the smoke to check out the situation. In doing so I saw from a distance there was a fire out in the middle of a field. Being the helpful person I am, I called 911 to report the fire. After I found out that it was actually a controlled burn put on by the firemen, I felt a little foolish, but it still was a teaching moment for my kids. I reiterate to my family, help whenever you can as long as you are safe. We are not risking any lives saving stuffed animals.
If you should come up to a fire what should you do? Do not do what I did by going towards it. Stay away and call for help. Know how to safely operate a fire extinguisher. This is a fun lesson I just taught my kids. The priority when discovering a fire must always be to evacuate the premises.
Posted on October 6th, 2023
Business Spotlight
Fork 2 Field
By: McKenzie Blumhagen
Debbie Richards overheard some wives at church talking about how tricky it can be to feed the crowds, attend the games, get everyone where they need to be on time, help in the field, you know – live the farm wife life. Debbie was overwhelmed listening to everything the women were sharing and decided, you know, I am going to help. Forego, welcome Fork 2 Field to the Harvey area! This food truck is saving the day this Harvest Season. This wonderful food truck will deliver meals with a mileage fee and their radius has to be within 17 miles of Harvey. In order to deliver, you just share a pin to your location so they can find the correct field. Only Midwesterners would be directing meals to fields, am I right? If you have a driver going to the elevator in Harvey or someone picking up the meals you can call meals ahead and they will have them packed and ready for you! Last minute orders are welcomed. Debbie is so wonderful, if you don’t know her, you should. She is quite an entertainer on top of a problem solver! Their first full week began on August 21st. Fork 2 Field will always be closed Thursdays & Sundays. Menus are posted on Facebook (Find Fork 2 Field) the Wednesday before the next week. Their hours are 11-2 PM for lunch and 3-7 PM for supper. I hope you take the time to check them out, farmer or not, we have another food option in Harvey and that is such a relief for so many of us – so let’s keep her open!
Posted on September 11th, 2023
Recipe of the Month
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 Large eggs
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
2 Cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup chocolate chips
2 tsp pumpkin spice
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup milk
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8x8 baking dish. In a bowl, combine oats, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and salt. Mix to combine. Add pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, vanilla, and syrup/honey to bowl and stir. Spread into prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 min. Oatmeal is done baking when it is puffed up on the edges, set in the middle and top is golden. Let cool for 5 min. It firms up as it cools. Store in fridge up to 4 days. You can sub nuts for the chocolate. *I like to add a drizzle of pure maple syrup or honey and cream before I dig in!
Posted on September 11th, 2023
Claim Corner
In the insurance industry we like have a game we like to play called, IS IT COVERED? With insurance claims, it is not always cut and dry. You can’t and shouldn't try to predict the verdict of a claim, because the outcome will never be the same for every claim. We, as agents, cannot always tell you if your claim is covered, especially those "hypothetical’s" we get asked. That is a determination the company makes after a thorough analysis of all the facts. There is often a misconception we have the power to deny or approve a claim, when in reality we have no say. Let’s talk tires. We get asked all the time if they are covered and when. Here's a couple examples.
At the time of this particular incident, our insured was not laughing, but it was too funny not to share now. She was driving down the road. She heard a thump and fished tailed a bit before realizing her tire was airborne and heading for a nearby house. At the nearby house, a gentleman was just carrying his supper to the grill when the tire flew by and took out the grill. A few feet in difference and the tire would have injured the man instead of the hamburgers. After demolishing the grill, the tire flew into the house causing even more damage. That thing had some major speed. So, was the tire covered? The answer is unfortunately, no. The tire did not hit something and come off, the tire may have been loose or faulty in some way. Nevertheless, the grill and house were definitely covered.
Raise your hand if you have ever had a blown tire. It’s not fun. It can also be dangerous if you are going at high speeds. What many people may not know, is, unless the blown tire is a result of an accident, insurance does not cover them. A blown tire is considered wear and tear and you are responsible for making sure they are in proper condition before you drive.
As I write this, I remember a tire issue I personally had last week. A piece of cement found its way onto the highway and I hit it. IS IT COVERED??
Posted on September 11th, 2023
Can we talk about the elephant in the room?
By Amy Streifel
I hear it at coffee talk. I hear it at social settings. I hear it at work. The scandal that has everyone talking….that’s right people, I'm talking about insurance rates. You about have to live under a rock to have not noticed or heard about insurance rate increases. I'm here to put your mind at ease and clear up any rumors. The worst thing you can do is misunderstand your own insurance rates by something you have heard. And PLEASE, do not compare your neighbors insurance to your own. Every policy is specialized to fit YOU. So when I hear the phase "my neighbor said", I cringe. Talk to your knowledgeable agent if you have questions on your insurance, not your neighbor. So, what's the deal with rates? It’s not all cut and dry. I review all of my clients rate increases and have to make those call on a daily basis. I wish I had the exact answer for each person, but everyone is different. There are a lot of variables that go into determining rates. Some of the factors are the carrier’s filed rates, where you live, your age, your insurance score and more. As for the rise in insurance rates across the board, a couple main reasons; car repair costs have soared and major labor shortages. Factories and trade routes are still struggling from the effects of the Covid Pandemic.
As you review your home and auto policies during the remainder of 2023, here are a few recent statistics to keep in mind:
Homeowners insurance rates continue to rise. Since 2015, the average homeowner has seen their bill for insurance rise by approximately 21% - and as much as 57% in natural disaster-prone states like Texas and Florida. The culprits? Climate change, insurance fraud, and inflation. Most experts anticipate a 9% increase this year - roughly $150 per annual policy.
Auto insurance rates climbed nearly 15% in some states over the past year, rising more than $240 on average nationwide to $2,014 per year. What’s more? Approximately 11% of drivers now pay more for their car insurance than for their car payments.
· Mitigate the increase in premiums by taking advantage of new discounts, asking your agent about telematics programs, improving your credit, and increasing policy deductibles.
NuLine is here to help! We are always very informed with the current industry trends. Remember, one of the benefits of working with us is that we have access to multiple insurance carriers and can shop around to get you the best rates!
Posted on September 11th, 2023
Business Spotlight
High Plains Cleaning & Estate Liquidators
Elizabeth & Frank let no dust settle under their feet when they made their way to Chaseley, ND. They came to us from South Dakota and firmly believe Central NoDak is the best place to be. I couldn’t agree more, personally. They have a vast range of expertise, so entrepreneurship was well becoming. These two have launched High Plains Cleaning & Liquidation and have been keeping very busy.
What does this entail? High Plains work to clean residential & commercial properties, they assist in planning and preparing for estate sales, they are Haz-mat certified, so they have aided in cleaning out properties owned by hoarders, they can help downsize or declutter, they have assisted in big projects such as painting the interior or exterior of residencies and buildings, etc. After speaking with Elizabeth, I got the impression that if you have a project and aren’t sure about it, contact them and tell them the details! It might just be a great fit. The best part is servicing Harvey, McClusky, Turtle Lake, Bowdon, Maddock, New Rockford, Carrington, Jamestown, Bismarck, Devils Lake, Minot, and surrounding rural areas! They are booking 3 weeks out for larger projects and about 1-2 weeks out for cleaning services.
You can find them on Facebook at High Plains Cleaning & Estate Liquidators OR you can give them a call at 701-625-1214.
Posted on August 7th, 2023
Recipe of the Month
Sheet Pan Pancakes
"This recipe is perfect for back to school You can mix it up with different berries or chocolate chips!"
Ingredients:
4 cups Bisquick
2 cups milk
4 eggs
Topping of your choice
8 tbsp. butter
Instructions:
Preheat over to 425 and generously grease a sheet pan. In a large bowl, mix the Bisquick, milk and eggs. Pour the batter onto your greased sheet pan and evenly sprinkle with the toppings of your choice. Bake in the center rack for about 15 min or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter and use a pizza cutter to cut the pancakes before serving.
Posted on August 7th, 2023
DO YOUR KIDS HAVE GOOD GRADES?
A good student discount will
apply to your auto insurance!
How can you get the discount?
Just give us a copy of your child’s grades (3.0 or higher) from the last semester and you can start saving.
You can do this by having the school secretary email the agency a copy of the grades, drop them off at one of our locations, email them to us at
or take a picture and text to one of our agents
This discount alone saved one of our customers over $200 a year!
Statistics show that students that have good grades are better
drivers!
Posted on August 7th, 2023
Calling all College Students
Why become an insurance agent? It’s a very relaxing job….as you can clearly see! J/k. It may not actually be relaxing, but you will never be bored. Just ask our coop students, right Collin? With children heading off to college or starting to think about college, they will be picking majors and starting to think about their future. I have been trying to talk at least one of my teenagers into joining my profession. I did not go to college for insurance, nor did I think I would ever be in the insurance industry, however, it has proven to be a very interesting career. Becoming an insurance agent is not a glamorous nor adventurous job, but it can be rewarding. One of the biggest responsibilities for insurance professionals is the chance to protect individuals and families from unforeseen disasters. In some cases, you will be providing life changing protection. You know that saying...not all heroes wear capes. Joking aside, working with customers every day makes you feel like you are making a difference. Insurance agents are always in demand and there is limitless room to grow. Whether you prefer the more paperwork side of things, or more of getting out of the office and directly prospecting, this job can be pretty flexible. Let’s talk wage. Most insurance professionals are compensated with commissions or bonuses. As good as it feels to help people plan to protect what's most important to them in the event of an unforeseen disaster, that pales in comparison to the feeling you get when you get to see the fruits of your labor in action. To be a good insurance agent, you'll need to become comfortable talking about uncomfortable situations and dealing with them. Attention to detail is an absolute must. As one of our agents always says, "look for the bad!" Uncovering risks is a major part of this job. Nobody wants disaster to strike, of course. But when it does, you'll know that you did your part to enhance the lives of your clients and their loved ones.
In this job, there is always something new to be learned and new network to tap into. I'm going to keep working on trying to convince my daughters. I mean, what could be better than sharing an office with their mom!
Posted on August 7th, 2023