Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

It’s almost Halloween!  Costumes are purchased.  Decorations are in place and treats are being prepared for visiting trick or treaters.  Everything seems in place, but what about our pets?  Pets enjoy Halloween too so how do we keep them safe?

Candy, especially chocolate is a significant danger and can be poison to our pets.  Chocolate is dangerous for two reasons.  First, chocolate contains two chemicals-caffeine and theobromine which are stimulants.  Symptoms can begin in 6-12 hours after ingestion.  These symptoms can include panting, hyperactivity, increased thirst and urination.  High concentrations lead to irregular heart rhythms, seizures, coma, and even death.  There are all levels of sensitivity just like in people, some dogs and cats can be sensitive to chocolate and show signs of poisoning from much lesser amounts.

Chocolate is very high in sugar and fat.  This could cause mild diarrhea, or more dangerous gastroenteritis, pancreatitis and liver disease from ingestion of large amounts of chocolate.  Keep all candy out of the reach of pets and explain to young children that it is not safe to feed candy to dogs and cats.

If your pet is afraid of loud noises or frightened when people come to the door.  Speak to your veterinarian about a calming supplement or mild tranquilizer to get your pet through Halloween comfortably. Never do this on your own.  Consult a professional as the dose for pets is different than people. Be extremely cautious if your dog or cat goes out and navigates the yard on their own.  Don’t leave them unattended on Halloween night.  Pets innocently fall victim to Halloween pranks.

Our pets are special to us.  Don’t let their safety become less of a priority due to the excitement of the holiday.  With some planning, the day can be fun for the entire family.  Hopefully, this information will help to provide a safe environment for our pets.  Think Safety First and Have a Happy Halloween!

by Denise Visco

 

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 90th Anniversary

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 90th Anniversary

Halloween is behind us and we are already on to the next holiday. And that’s Thanksgiving, of course! I don’t know about you but one of the first things I think of (besides all the food) is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. This year is even more special because it`s the 90th anniversary!

You only turn 90 once, so Macy`s is planning on kicking it up this year to celebrate nine decades of this holiday tradition. From Felix (the first giant balloon in 1927) to Snoopy (the character with the most balloons), there is so much to look forward to this year! One of the throwback classics that they are featuring this year is Felix. “DreamWorks Animation’s Felix the Cat, whose likeness was the first balloon featured in a Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in 1927, will return in throwback form, designed and built in the same methods utilized in the 1920s. Unlike his fellow balloons such as Charlie Brown and Ronald McDonald, Felix will process carried on sticks, also mimicking his original appearance.” Another fun act that you can’t miss is two sets of the Muppets. Kermit and his crew will be kicking off the parade with a musical number and Big Bird and the “Sesame Street” team will be appearing later in the parade. This year is guaranteed to be the perfect combination of classic and current favorites. The parade airs at 9 a.m. on NBC and you don’t want to miss it!

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Snickers Candy

Snickers Candy

Snickers are hands down one of the most popular candy in the world. This candy can bring in an annual profits grossing around $2 billion. One thing we can agree on is that Snickers are pure edible joy. Besides knowing that they are absolutely delicious, I am going to share with you 6 fun facts that you might of not known.

1. Snickers got their name from a favorite horse of the Mars family.

2. Each regular Snickers bar has around 16 peanuts in each one.

3. When Snickers was released in 1930, the cost was just 5 cents.

4. Over 15 million Snickers are manufactured every day.

5. While they’re the most popular candy in the world, Snickers are not the top selling candy in America. The number one selling candy in America is M&Ms.

6. In the U.K., the Isle of Man, and Ireland, Snickers were sold

Now you know a little bit more about this scrumptious treat! Just like the slogan goes, “You’re not you when you’re hungry”! Comment below which kind of Snickers is your favorite! Ours is the Snickers peanut butter squared!

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Candy Corn Fun Facts!

Candy Corn Fun Facts!

Although everyone might seem pumpkin spice crazy at the moment, there is always one Halloween classic treat that will never be forgotten. And that is, candy corn. This sweet treat is a Halloween staple and often overlooked. We are going to give you some Halloween fun facts that you might not have known. And after reading our facts, let us know your favorite! And don’t forget to enjoy this classic treat on October 30th because that is National Candy Corn day!

• The original name for candy corn was “Chick Feed” and was marketed toward farmers.

• Candy corn has been around for over 130 years when George Renninger, a candy maker at the Wunderlee Candy Company, stumbled upon the perfect mixture of corn syrup, sugar and marshmallow flavoring, which invented the tri-color candy in 1880.

• Americans have debated on the style of how the kernels should be consumed. According to a survey, 46.8% of people think that the whole kernel should be eaten at once, compared to 42.7% that start at the white, narrow end. While the remaining 10.6% of people start at the wider yellow end.

• A recent CNN Facebook survey found that older people tend to like candy corn more than younger ones do. The study also found that 86% of females love candy corn compared to 14% of males.

• According to Google Insights, candy corn is the most searched for candy term in Google. Alabama has the highest about of candy corn searches out of all 50 states. The only thing sweeter than “Sweet Home Alabama” is the candy corn itself.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Happy Fall – Celebrating The Season on Long Island

Happy Fall – Celebrating The Season on Long Island

Fall is here and it`s time for pumpkin picking, festivals and so much more! Luckily on Long Island there is always something to do, especially in the Fall. Whether you are looking for a family fun day or a day out with friends, there is always something to do. Below I will list the top 6 activities to do this season.

1. Why not pick fresh apples! Lewins Farms in Wading River is the perfect place pick your own apples. Then you can either enjoy a fresh apple or even make an apple pie.

2. You can pumpkin pick! There are so many pumpkin farms on Long island including Schmitts Farm in Melville and Stakey`s Pumpkin Farm in Aquebogue.

3. The Rise of the Jack O’ Lanterns at Old Westbury Gardens, presented throughout October, showcases the amazing work of dozens of local artists. Spend an hour walking through the trail and see more than 5,000 hand-carved Jack O’Lanterns light up the night.

4. Southampton embraces fall with a full weekend of art, music, food, entertainment, and history near the end of September. The aptly named Southampton Septemberfest allows residents and visitors to explore Southampton’s rich cultural heritage and its close connection to agriculture and the sea. Adding to the entertainment are volunteers dressed in traditional outfits who sell locally grown produce, teach traditional crafts like basket weaving, and even hold class in a one-room schoolhouse.

5. Celebrate Long Island’s rich history and traditions at the Hallockville Museum Farm’s Fall Festival and Craft Show, which includes demos on basket weaving, yarn spinning, woodworking, blacksmithing, and more, plus more than 50 craft vendors. See livestock displays, farm machinery and tractor exhibits, and even a model railroad display.

6. Grande Festa Italiana, held annually in early September at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, is both the largest and oldest Italian feast on Long Island. Along with the rides, fireworks, and live music, kids can enjoy sampling a variety of Italian foods and watching cooking demonstrations.

With so much to do, it`s easy to say that Long Island is the place to be during the Fall. What activity is your favorite?

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Important Things To Know About Life Insurance

Important Things To Know About Life Insurance

September is Life Insurance Awareness month. Most Americans who do have life insurance, are not carrying enough, life insurance. Then, there is the rest of Americans (about 40%) who have no life insurance whatsoever.

According to research, the two most common reasons why an individual does not carry life insurance is because they have competing financial priorities, or they think they can’t afford it.

This is why every September, our agency helps spread awareness and educate our clients on the facts and importance of life insurance.

Here are some interesting and important things to know about Life Insurance:

  • The first ancient civilization to use life insurance was the Roman Empire. Burial clubs would go around and collect money from the poor to pay for their funerals.
  • Every U.S. Citizen is eligible for guaranteed issued life insurance, regardless of age, sex or medical condition.
  • Term life insurance can cost as little as the price of one cup of coffee, per week.
  • You’re never too old or too young to buy life insurance. In fact, the younger you buy, the better off you will be.
  • The goal of life insurance is to provide financial security for your family after you are gone.
  • The term of a life insurance policy can be for as long as you decide.
  • The beneficiary of a life insurance policy is the individual that relies on you for an income.
  • Men are more likely to pay more for life insurance than women due to health conditions, dangerous hobbies, and lack of seeking medical attention.
  • If you have a dependent relying on your life, you should have life insurance.
  • Young professionals are the largest buyers of life insurance.
  • The most common reason for retired individuals to buy life insurance is to pay for funeral costs.
  • Business owners have the option to name their business as a beneficiary on their life insurance policy.

Our life insurance specialists at C.H. Edwards, Inc., recommend that individuals carry eight times their annual salary in life insurance. If you do not already have life insurance or you would like to review your current life insurance policy, contact our office at
(516) 249-5200 and we will be happy to assist you.

Don’t wait another day. Make an investment in your families future by purchasing  life insurance today.

 

Apple’s New and Redesigned Emojis

Apple’s New and Redesigned Emojis

If you love using emoji as a form of communication, then the news that Apple just released will make you happy. This Fall, Apple will be joining Google in adding different types of emoji that reflect gender equality. They announced over 100 new and redesigned emoji that will launch with iOS 10. The main focus of this new launch is to release a variety of emoji that better represent men and women in the workforce. This a project that both Google and Apple have joined together with the Unicode Consortium, which is the organization in charge of adding emoji. Since this project is supported by Unicode, it means the emoji will show up properly on all different devices.

This update will include alterations to existing ones as well as never before seen emoji. Users can now pick between female and male athletes and professionals. There will also be an addition of a new rainbow flag. One lastly addition will be more family options, like single parent families. “Google says 90% of the world’s online population use emoji, and giving people more options to express themselves is a good thing.” And now this Fall, you will be able to express yourself even more throughout the use of emoji. What emoji are you most excited for?

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Where To Pick? U-Pick Farms Long Island

Where To Pick? U-Pick Farms Long Island

Fall is here and that only means one thing, fresh fall produce! If you love fresh fruit’s and vegetables, check out one of Long Island’s many “U-Pick” farms on the east end! With a wide variety of choices ranging from apples, tomatoes, eggplants and pumpkins to fresh pies, cider, donuts and homemade jams, you and your family are sure to find something you all love!

Lewin’s farm on Sound Avenue is Calverton offers many fun, family activities along with their “U-Pick” farm experience. The whole family can enjoy corn mazes, hay rides and much more.

Even if you don’t feel like picking your own produce, Lewin’s offers a huge farms tand of already picked fresh produce right at your finger tips.

While there, make sure to take a drive down Sound Avenue and see what other farms and stands can offer you.

It’s fall fun for the whole family, don’t miss out on this year’s picking season.

Lewin Farm
812 Sound Avenue
Calverton, NY 11933
Phone: 631-929-4327

Written by: Amanda Haase