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The flowers have sprung at the Disney Flower and Garden Festival!

The flowers have sprung at the Disney Flower and Garden Festival!

Spring has sprung and so have the flowers at Disney World`s Flower and Garden Festival.  This festival of flowers, food and fun will run from March 2nd, 2016 to May 30,2016 and is definitely something to add to your Disney bucket list.

Characters and iconic Disney scenes come to life as Epcot transforms to a garden wonderland.  These 90 days at Epcot will be filled with classic traditions of the festival along with new ones. Some exciting things you’ll find is the Garden Rocks Concert Series. This series includes Darlene Love and The Georgia Satellites, as well as returning favorites. There will also be a new kids play ground called The Harmony Gardens Musical Playground. You’ll also find new outdoor kitchens and also new menu items. The two newest kitchens include La Isla Fresca serving up Jamaican food along with the Cider House. These two new kitchens will join the 11 other booths serving up all kinds of delicious foods from the World Showcase. And you’ll also see flowers galore. From themed flower gardens to topiaries to life size figurines of Disney characters!

If you think this flower crazy event is unbelievable, here are three fun facts that will blow your mind. The first fun fact is more than 500,000 plants, trees and shrubs are planted for the festival; 250,000 of those are annual blossoms installed for the festival. The second fun fact is Festival plants include 60 different species of trees, 47 types of palms, and 48 varieties of bedding plants. And the last fun fact is it takes more than one full year and about 24,000 cast member hours to prepare for the annual festival.

What can be better than spring, flowers in the shapes of Disney characters, scrumptious food and great music? This year’s Flower and Garden Festival has that all covered for you and more. If you are heading down to Disney this Spring, this is definitely something worth seeing.

Spring Forward To Safety With C.H.Edwards

Spring Forward To Safety With C.H.Edwards

It’s that time of year where coffee becomes a little more than necessary in the morning. That is because it is time to spring forward.  Sunday, March 13th marks the first day of Daylight Savings. For some people this could be seen as just a loss of sleep but for others it is a sign that sunny and longer days are finally here.

The saying “Spring forward, fall back” is an old expression used to remind people to adjust your clocks. Although making sure you get up in time in the morning is important, there are also several necessary tasks to ensure a safe and happy spring and summer season. This could be looked at as a safety spring cleaning. Here are some necessary things to check off of your safety spring cleaning list. The first thing you should do is check to make sure there is a functioning fire detector and carbon dioxide detector in each room of your house. If you know there are any detectors that are over ten years old, then it’s time for new ones. After inserting fresh batteries check your alarm by activating the safety test button. Now that the alarms are all checked, it is time to clean your alarms. This can be done by gently using a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust and cobwebs. Because what use is a working alarm if you can’t hear it. Lastly, you should make an escape plan and review it with your entire family. It is a good idea to get everyone involved including the kids. After you have made your plan, make sure you have all functioning emergency supplies put together in several locations of your home. A good idea would be to create a backpack filled with flashlights, batteries and other items you feel are necessary. Once you have an action plan set, it’s time to test it out. Make sure everything is set and everyone is aware of the plan in case of an unfortunate tragedy.

Now that you know the importance of this safety spring cleaning list, it is time to put it into action. Whether you’re enjoying your cup of coffee with an extra shot of espresso or enjoying the outdoors, it is always best to put safety first and protect your home and family.

Pretty In Pink Turns 30!

Pretty In Pink Turns 30!

On February 28, 1986 the romantic comedy Pretty in Pink opened. Cast with up and coming actors, Molly Ringwald as “Andie”, James Spader as “Steph”, Andrew McCarthy as “Blane” and Jon Cryer as “Duckie” playing a bunch of suburban Chicago teens searching to find there place among the pecking order of high school students.

To mark this anniversary, the film has been re-released in select theaters with an alternate ending. I had the opportunity to attend the screening on February 17th as a gift from my husband for Valentine’s Day. The theater was equally filled with first timers and long- time fans, mostly female. It was exciting to see the film on the big screen again and even though I am now viewing as an adult and not the teen I was at it’s original release, I felt the same excitement and secret cheering for the underdog that it did the first time I saw it.

The music was still incredible as it was in 1986. The Pretty In Pink soundtrack went on to make Rolling Stone’s “The Greatest Soundtracks of all Time” list.

The alternate ending was predictable, but the cast interviews were enlightening as I would not have expected some of what I heard. Unfortunately for some in attendance, they were not aware the screening offering the interviews or the alternate ending, so they left the theater after the closing credits. For those of us that stayed , we were in for a real treat hearing cast members Jon Cryer, Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy speak about the movie in current day. The one secret we learned is that Molly Ringwald was hoping for Robert Downey Jr. to play “Duckie” as she personally felt she had better chemistry with him.

For more Pretty in Pink secrets revealed, pick up the 30th Anniversary dvd due in stores shortly. I hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane as much as I did.

Written by Denise Visco

Adding Value To Your Home

Adding Value To Your Home

As your home grows in age, the value of your home starts to drop. If you are looking to increase the value of your home, consider some of these home renovations to help add value to your home.

Invest in your kitchen: A kitchen update and remodeling your kitchen is a safe bet when it comes to adding value to your home. Even if the rest of your home is in excellent condition, a poorly functioning kitchen can detract from the overall value. Consider putting in new cabinets and counters to give the kitchen a whole new look.

Look to paint: One of the least expensive improvement materials is painting! Neutral and modern colors can help liven up any space. If you paint with low-VOC paint, you can also advertise your home as an eco-friendly home.

Put in another bathroom: Multiple bathrooms are an attractive retail point, especially in older homes. Finding the space to add a bathroom may be hard, but consider closets, areas under stairs or taking space away from another room. If you do not have the rooms for a full bath consider adding a half bath.

Add illumination to rooms: A dark room in a home is a dull room. Adding overhead and accent lighting can really make a difference in the appearance of your home. Under cabinet lighting in your kitchen is also a nice touch.

Improve curb appeal: Adding attractive landscaping outside of your home and freshening up the entryway to your home can add considerable value to your home, as buyers judge the home from its exterior look. Well placed planting and an inviting front door can do wonders to a home.

If you are a homeowner and recently have, or plan to complete renovations to your home, don’t forget to call your Insurance Agent to discuss possible discounts on your Homeowners Insurance. If you are interested in a quotation for your home, give C.H. Edwards, Inc., a call and one of our courteous Homeowners Insurance Specialists will be happy to assist you. 516-249-5200 www.chedwards.net.

Written by: Amanda Haase

Child Passenger Safety Awareness

Child Passenger Safety Awareness

Did you know, that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19? Although this is a leading cause, there are many ways that we can prevent injury and death among children, while they are passengers in our vehicles.

Here are some helpful safety tips to follow when driving with your child(ren):

  • Tug on your kid’s car seat where the seat belt goes. If it moves more than 1 inch at the base, be sure to tighten it.
  • Make sure your child is using the proper car seat. Using the proper seating based on your child’s age can very well save their life in case of a crash. You can view proper car seat choices at http://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/Right-Car-Seat-Age-Size.htm.
  • Make sure your child’s car seat is installed properly. Studies show that about 75 percent of car seats are improperly installed. To properly install your car seat, carefully follow the instructions that come with your seat. After installing your car seat, be sure to get it inspected. You can find local inspection sites near you at http://www.safercar.gov/cpsApp/cps/index.htm.
  • DO NOT text and drive. Not only does texting and driving put you and your child’s life at risk, but it teaches young ones, bad habits. Avoid being distracted by beeps and buzzes by putting your phone in airplane mode, turning the volume down or completely turning it off.
  • Never leave children alone in or around cars. More than 600 children died from heatstroke in vehicles between 1998 and 2013. Many children also die from playing near cars and getting struck by a car backing up. Be sure that you know where your children are at all times when traveling with them.

Please be cautious, attentive, and safety minded with children. Not only can you help make sure they are safe in and around vehicles, but you can save their life.

For more information on child passenger safety please visit http://www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm.

Written by: Amanda Haase

Disney Pin Trading

Disney Pin Trading

Are you looking for a way to make your IMG_5548next trip to Disney a little more magical? Have you ever tried pin trading? With all the collections and series to choose from, there are pins out there for everybody. And what makes it even more fun is that you get to interact with the cast members while trading. Each cast member at every merchandise location has a full lanyard of new pins. They are always excited to trade with you and sometimes they even make a game out of it. If you see a pin with the back facing forward then you found a mystery pin. Depending on the cast member you can either choose that pin or answer a trivia question to see it. Whether it’s a mystery pin or a visible pin, it’s always fun to find all the pins you need to collect the set.

Even though the cast members are always eager to trade and interact with you. There are always rules to this fun filled game. Here are the top 7 rules to remember while pin trading.

1. Make sure to ask the cast member to see their lanyard without touching or grabbing their land yard without permission.

2. Don’t feel obligated to trade. If they don’t have a pin you need, it’s okay! Just thank them anyway.

3. If you would like to trade, tell the cast member which one you need and which one you are trading.

4. There is a limit of 2 pins per trade.

5. Make sure to put the pin back on the pin before handing it to the cast member. This prevents anyone from getting poked.

6. Keep your hand open so the cast member can place the pin on your hand without dropping it.

7. Thank the cast member for the trade and they will do the same.

Pin trading is fun for all ages and the perfect way to interact with the cast. You can purchase starter packs of pins that come with lanyards at most merchandise locations. You can also buy individual pins and lanyards. There are also pin specific locations in each park that have exclusive pins. Next time you are in Disney, don’t forget to check out the pin trading works. Happy trading!

Written By: Sandra Costanzo

Creative Ways To Tell Your Partner You Love Them This Valentine’s Day

Creative Ways To Tell Your Partner You Love Them This Valentine’s Day

Wouldn’t you agree that we not only want to be loved, but also to be told we are loved? Valentine’s Day is the occasion when you can experience and express both.

Here are some creative ways to tell your partner you love them this Valentine’s Day:

• Serve them breakfast in bed. Trim the tray with Hershey Kisses and a note card with a short love letter.

• Write a small book of all the reasons you love your partner.

• Take him/her on a scavenger hunt. Have them answer riddles to find the clues to items that you placed somewhere around town. The last item should lead them to your Valentine’s Day activities.

• Plan a small getaway at a bed and breakfast or spa for the week or weekend.

• Give your lady a dozen roses and on each stem attach a little note with a reason you love them.

• Take your spouse or partner to the restaurant that you enjoyed when you first met. This will help you both relive many memories.

• Order take out and have a picnic on the living room floor. This is a great way to involve your children and also enjoy the comforts of your own home.

• Hide little candy hearts in your spouses or partners belongings. (Ex. Shoes, car, jacket, purse, etc.)

• Make a creative coupon book (Ex. Free massage, free night out with the guys, etc.)

• Buy their favorite perfume/cologne and place it next to their bedside with a box of chocolates or flowers.

• Leave a mirror message. Your partner will wake up to a loving message while brushing their teeth and getting ready.

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day with your loved one. Remember, love is not meant to be given and received just on Valentine’s Day. It’s to be practiced every single day of the year.

Written by: Amanda Haase

Celebrations Around The World

Celebrations Around The World

On New Year’s Eve, many of us indulge in finger foods and cold champagne. Just like we celebrate the coming of something wonderful, so do others around the world.

In honor of the Chinese New Year (February 8th) and Mardi Gras (February 9th), here are some fun and interesting facts on how these events are celebrated.

Chinese New Year:chinese new year
• Just like we do on holidays, People of Chinese heritage go shopping for the New Year. This is a way for them to “start fresh”.
• Houses are decorated with red lanterns, red couplets, New Year paintings, and red lanterns.
• Being this is the year of the Monkey, monkey images will appear on decorations as well.

 

• New Year couplets are written on red paper with black ink, and pasted one each side of a door frame. New Year couplets are sayings filled with best wishes.

• Families come together to enjoy a “reunion dinner”. Here they enjoy traditional Chinese foods such as dumplings and sticky rice cakes.
• In like of watching the ball drop from Times Square, China watches the CCTV’s New Year Gala. This Gala features traditional, folk, and pop performances from China’s best singers, dancers, and acrobats.
• Parents and grandparents provide children with what they call “Red Envelopes”. These envelopes are filled with money and are said to help bring luck, health, and growth for the New Year.

Mardi Gras:
• Mardi Gras is about music, parades, picnics, floats and excitement.
• People dress up in costumes and decorate themselves with long beads caught from the floats of previous Mardi Gras parades.
• Mardi Gras traditional colors are purple, green and gold. Purple represents justice, green represents faith and gold represents power.
• Many individuals customize and create their very own Mardi Gras masks. Wearing masks adds to the excitement and magic of celebrations throughout the city.
• Aside from celebrating at the parade, formal dress balls are planned all year long by the King and Queen of each krewe (an organization that puts on a parade or ball for the Carnival season).
• Out of respect for this long-held tradition, several Mardi Gras krewes still kick off their parades with “flambeaux”. Flambeaux is the burning of a torch accompanied with dancing and stunts.

As our global world becomes more interconnected, thanks to the Internet, it is important to learn and understand other celebrations, traditions, and events that take place around the world.

To learn more about these traditional celebrations visit:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-celebration.htm and http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/

Written by: Amanda Haase

National Wear Red Day 2016

National Wear Red Day 2016

Today, February 5th, is National Wear Red Day. Today is a special day in which we bring awareness to women’s heart disease, stroke, and critical research to discover scientific understanding about cardiovascular health.

Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year. Fortunately, 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with awareness and lifestyle changes.

It is important for all women, to take care of their hearts. It is essential to know the signs of a heart attack and know how to further prevent this from effecting you and your loved ones.

When a heart attack strikes, it doesn’t always feel the same in women as it does in men. Women have more silent symptoms that can go unnoticed.

These six heart attack symptoms are the most common in women:
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain in your arms, back, neck or jaw.
• Stomach pain such as heart burn or a stomach ulcer.
• Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness.
• Sweating or breaking out into a cold sweat.
• Fatigue.

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

The American Heart Association encourages everyone to wear red and take action to live longer and healthier lives.

For more information on women’s heart health and ways to keep your heart healthy in every age spectrum, visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/home/live-healthy/prevent-heart-disease/.

You can show off your red attire by posting a picture on all your social media profiles and use the hashtag #GoRed. It’s time to raise awareness and it all starts with you.

Show your support today!

Written by: Amanda Haase