Green Vacation Thoughts
“With all the emphasis on lightening up your “carbon footprint,” you might want to think about a non-travel vacation adventure this fall. Think of the money you won’t be spending on airfares, or hotels, or eating restaurant meals. That’s a big reason there to think locally.
Have you ever considered being a tourist in your own town or city? The larger the place where you live the more opportunity, of course. But even in a smaller locale, there will still be ‘vacation’ type adventures you can enjoy. Or perhaps you have friends who are willing to switch homes. You live in the country and they live in the city. Or vice versa.
Go online and start exploring all the options! The website, www.visitlebanoncounty.com, is a fun place to start. What is the Union Canal and where is it? Do you know where Fort Zellers and Light’s Fort are located Have you ever visited the nature center at Middle Creek Wildlife Area or taken a walk through the area. There is more than 5,000 acres for waterfowl and other wildlife. To see 50,000—70,000 snow geese leave the water at one time is a sight you will never forget.
If you belong to a travel club, there are guidebooks that list a ton of places—some you have probably never even heard of! Set a challenge to find something cheap and fun to do for a day. Set some guidelines—it has to be a place you haven’t been to before and it has to be free or low cost. Or check out your local Chamber of Commerce and look at all the local attraction brochures. Even the price of admission to the Hershey zoo or gardens can be well worth it. Pack a lunch, stow it in your backpack, take public transportation and spend a slow day at the zoo. Do you live within a few miles of a state park? Ranger walks are FREE and lots of fun for everyone. Get a hiking trail map and enjoy a day exploring a river trail or take a walk or ride along the rails for trails.
“Think green” or maybe red & gold for autumn and have a pleasant relaxing vacation that won’t stress you or your budget.” Since the year 1902, the Lebanon Valley Family YMCThro1ugh collaboration, and commitment to the Lebanon Community the YMCA has worked to involve people of all kinds in building stronger and healthier lives for themselves and for others. The Lebanon Valley Family YMCA has provided safe and caring environments, positive role models, creative activities and opportunities to serve the needs of others. These are the essential building blocks for strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.
August Client Of The Month
Denise Eiceman, awarding Bonnie her $50 Gift Certificate.
For outstanding work telling others about our agency, for the month of April we honored Bonnie Bicksler as our Referral Client of the Month! Bonnie received a $50 Dinner Gift Certificate. Thanks for your continued business!
Tips From Your #1 protection Team
When Bad Things Happen to People Who Rent
Agent Denise
The Myth. It is one of the most commonly repeated myths about renters insurance. Renters don’t need insurance because their landlord’s policy provides coverage for the renters’ property. No, it doesn’t. Further, if someone slips and falls in your apartment or a house you are renting, your landlord’s insurance usually won’t provide any coverage if you are sued.
Protect yourself. Renters insurance is basically like a homeowners policy without coverage for the structure. Renters insurance provides coverage for your possessions and for liability if someone is injured while on your premises and happens to sue you. Renters insurance also covers any of your possessions when they are away from you residence, including your car.
Where will you go? In addition, renters’ policies provide what are called additional living expenses. If a catastrophe covered by the policy happens i.e. fire, bursting pipes, etc. and makes the place you are renting uninhabitable, the policy will pay some of the costs you incur to live somewhere else while the residence is being repaired.
Like homeowners insurance, renters policies do not cover damage or losses resulting from flooding, landslide or earthquake — although it is possible to buy coverage for these risks separately.
Low Price. Renters insurance is fairly inexpensive when compared with other personal insurance policies. Alone, you can get a decent policy for about $10 per month. But added to your auto policy it could be free. You would receive up to a 15% discount for writing your auto and renters policy with the same company.
Like homeowners insurance, renters coverage has a deductible. The higher the deductible, the less your policy will cost. If you are renting an apartment or house, call our agency for a quote on renters insurance.
Avoiding Burn Outs At Work
Burnout— that state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion—causes all kinds of problems. Seen and unseen. With the economics of employment teetering between a sigh of relief and big questions, you need to take positive steps to keep yourself in the best condition possible. Here are some suggestions:
- Lean on others. Don’t fall into the rut that the world will end if you don’t do it yourself.
- Learn to say no. Pick what is really important and what you can do well. Delegate with a smile.
- Take a daily technology break. Turn off all your electronic gadgets—cell phone, Blackberry, laptop, pager—even if for just 10 minutes. Take a walk around the block, close your office door and put up a sign asking for no interruptions.
- Set a schedule. Make wise use of your time. Use a kitchen timer to see how long it take you to do a task. Try to NOT take work home. If you telecommute, follow that schedule. Working at home should not take your time away from home.
- Take vacations. Once again, the world is not going to end if you take a long weekend or a whole week or two weeks of vacation. You need this to regenerate and be much more productive.
- Reward yourself. Remember why you are working. You are working to live, be able to afford a treat now and then, you are NOT living to work.
- Don’t isolate yourself. If something is bothering you, share it with your family and friends. If your work environment is not job cross-training, then suggest it to a supervisor. If you ARE the supervisor, then start doing it. Part of that feeling that no one else can do your job come from ‘hoarding’ how and what you do.
- Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise, sleep well. If don’t feel well, you won’t work well.
- Consider professional help. There is nothing wrong with seeking help if situations become overwhelming. Doctors, pastors, therapists are there when you need them.
Events Happening In Your Community
- September 26-Annual Country Fair at the Isaac Meier Homestead in Myerstown. On South College Street from 9am-4pm.
- September 24 –Annual Benefit Dinner for Lebanon County Christian Ministries.
- October 11-25– 25th Annual Apple Cider Festival in Levits Memorial Park in Grantville from 11am-4pm.
- October 22-24– Fall Fest at the Lebanon Farmers Market.
- October 22-24– Scare Affair at the Union Canal Tunnel Park from 6-9pm.
- October 24-25– Holiday Craft Show at the Lebanon Expo Center.
- November 20/21– Annual Tree Lighting/Holiday Parade on Cumberland Street in Lebanon.
