South Windsor, CT

Blogging may be the easiest part of real estate. I mean after all, what is there to it. Sit down and pick a topic and just start typing. That is the easiest part- assuming you can come up with a topic. But, then again as we all know, an entry here and there is not what it's all about. It has to be interesting to read. It has to have information that prospective clients are looking for. And, my biggest problem is that it really needs to be consistent. I started. I really meant to keep typing, but somehow there are other things always taking up my time. I mean, I do have to say that coming up with a topic also seems to add to the procrastination process. I think that every time someone asks me a real estate question, I should write it down. Maybe that would help with the finding a topic process.

For now, let's just say that at least for today, I was able to just sit down and type. If anyone would like to visit my outside blog, you can see just how much of a procrastinator I am. Visit me at http://GetYour1stHouse.com . I will eventually add more than the first two posts and find a way to send visitors back to my website without looking like an advertisement. But I figure I don't have to worry about getting them to my other site until I actually get enough content for someone to bother coming back for.

Oh well, and so it goes....

Are you interested in meeting up to 20 new business contacts within less than a few hours and without having to work up the nerve to approach someone? How about broadening your sphere of influence, generating referrals and gaining visibility within the community? Here's the NEWEST way...

Come join other small business professionals in our next networking event that is both social and profitable. 5-Minute Networking is the newest way to network with other business professionals in one-on-one and 5-minute increments. In 5-minutes, attendees can describe their respective business, exchange business cards and pass on referrals. When the event facilitator rings the bell, it is time for attendees to move to another table and meet someone new. It's that simple!

Melissa Bochet of Thrive Assistant Services, LLC, kicked off our first event on Dec. 3 without a hitch. In fact, the response from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive.

The next 5-Minute Networking event will be held on January 21, 2009 at the Mill on the River Restaurant, 989 Ellington Road, South Windsor, CT 06074 at 5:30 pm. The cost of the event is $35.00 which includes appetizers.

For more information please call Melissa Bochet at (860) 940-8570

If you are interested in searching for HOMES FOR SALE in Hartford and Tolland County give me a call at 860-798-3272.

If you are looking for the perfect Christmas tree......look no further. I have been visiting Dzen Christmas Tree Farm in South Windsor, Connecticut for the past 23 years and have never been disappointed. It actually has been a black Friday tradition of ours to kick off the Holiday Season.

Dzen Tree Farm strives to produce the highest quality of agricultural products and offer only the finest selection of Fresh Cut or Cut Your Own Christmas Trees. In fact, Dzen Tree Farm has devoted 140 acres to Christmas tree production and has over a mile of gravel driveways that provide easy access to the entire farm.

My family and I prefer the Fraser Fir for its strong limbs and ability to retain its soft needles (which do not prick easily when hanging ornaments), but Dzen Tree Farm also offers Balsam Fir, White Pine and Colorado Blue Spruce trees.

Dzen Tree Farm is open daily from 9 am until 4 pm from Nov. 28 thru Dec. 24. All trees are $35.00 and cash and check are the only accepted forms of payment. If you choose to cut down your own tree, saws will be provided. Wreaths, holiday plants and other decorating accessories are also available in the greenhouse.

Dzen Christmas Tree Farm is located at 215 Barber Hill Road in South Windsor, Connecticut.

From Hartford, take 84 East to exit 62 - Manchester/Buckland Hills Mall. At the traffic light, turn left onto Buckland Road into South Windsor. At the tenth traffic light, turn right onto Route 74 East (Ellington Road). At this time, you should see directional signs for Dzen Tree Farm. At the second stop sign, turn left onto Miller Road. At the second stop sign, turn right onto Barber Hill Road. The farm is a ½ mile on the left side - look for the Welcome Building at the entrance.

For more information please call Dzen Christmas Tree Farm at (860) 648-2233.

If you are interested in searching for HOMES FOR SALE in SOUTH WINDSOR, researching the current value of your home or learning more about the current MORTGAGE market, give me a call at 860-798-3272.

Updated with 2009 collection information.

This fall as usual South Windsor leaf collection will be offered curbside to residents. Starting November 2, 2009 crews will start the first of two passes thorough town to collect leaves. The second pass is scheduled to start on November 18th. All the dates are weather permitting. Want to know when your street is scheduled for visit the town will be releasing a schedule later. When it is available I'll post a link to it here.

My little assistants will be out helping rake up my leaves with me this year, well okay I'm sure that they will be doing much more running and jumping in the leaves than raking. We have lots of big trees all around the house so there are plenty of leaves for them to jump around in. Both say they are very excited to be helping!

Remember to rake the leaves to the street, not into the street.

If you would rather bag your leaves and drop them off for composting you may bring them to the leaf composting site on Burgess Road which will be open to accept leaves starting October 19, 2009 until December 31, 2009. Appointments are not necessary.

Want more information? We will update this posting as information about South Windsor Leaf Collection becomes available, or call the Leaf Hotline 24 hours a day 860-648-6371, or visit the towns website www.southwindsor.org.

If you are going to rake your leaves into bags to place at the curb check out this cool gadget which finally is a way to keep leaf bags open! My friends Avi and Tahl at We Care Computers introduced me to the Magic Ring. You place it in the top of the bag and it keeps it open to fill with leaves. Great idea. It is available at Pfau's Hardware in West Hartford Center.

The Melissa Makes Bears Charity Organization will be holding a pasta dinner and auction on November 2, 2008 at South Windsor Fire Station Headquarters, 1175 Ellington Road.

Enjoy a pasta dinner from 4 to 5:30 p.m. that costs just $5 for adults and $3 for children (12 and under). Following dinner at 5:30 p.m. is the comedy of the "Stand-Up Pediatrician" Dr. Jay Sutay. To complete the evening at 6 p.m. there will be a live auction hosted by radio personality Damon Scott.

Proceeds from the pasta dinner and auction will go to The Melissa Makes Bears Charity Organization who donates customized Build-a-Bears to state safe homes, which are temporary shelters to care for children recently removed from their homes for their protection.