South Windsor, CT

Any one of you can hold this type of event. Go to your local SAM's CLUB and talk with the Marketing Membership Manager. I held a breakfast, tour and information event at my local SAM's CLUB this morning at 8AM. Greg is the Manager of the Membership at this club. All of the staff helps and greets you and your attendees with warm smiles. I invitied my family, friends, clients and vendors. It is a good time for them to all mix in and meet eachother. We were escorted upstairs to the community meeting room. We had a table full of goodies. Coffee, of course, fruit salad, egg & sausage sandwiches, water bottles and fruit bottles. I had been to this room before for community meetings that SAM's CLUB hosts. Always good to meet fellow members who are businesses.

After we finished with the delicious breakfast, we went on a tour of the facility. There were even things that I didn't know. Surprise! The pharmacist, Tom, gave us his presentation on saving monies on medicines and everyone was given a list of the products and prices. Both prescription drugs and over the counter items are priced below retail for the members. Tom is patient and courteous.

We went back to the bakery, yum! Yes, they had a snack for us, too! The cakes, cookies and pies are made by SAM's, and are delicious. The prices are much lower than at a grocery store. Some of my clients noticed that the portions were larger:)

Next through the meat, and on to the fruit. Again, all priced below retail. All fresh product. Greg, the Manager, let us know, that if you purchased a roast and were not satisfied with it, that they would refund your monies. Apparently, they do that on all of their products. Customer satisfaction is Number One, and

they mean it. If you have the product and don't need it, don't want it, bring it back. If it is over 90 days, they will not reimburse you for the state tax portion of your purchase, but, they will for the product!

Without giving away all of the surprises, I just want to let you all know, that you can host a client event. Invite your clients and vendors. In this economy, when we are all trying to make ends meet, SAM's Club offers wonderful savings on food, clothing, electronics, prescriptions, eyeglasses (my clients tried them on, see the little guy behind the table) and tires for your vehicles. Call your local SAM's CLUB and ask for the Membership Manager. They will be happy to help you become a more, trusted advisor to your clients! Make sure everyone comes, hungry!

Thanks to Greg, Bill, Ralph, Marie and Jeff. Thank you to my clients who took the tips, me to learn about the SAM's Secrets! My event was a success, because of all of you! Best of luck to Cindi, the new business member manager!

It's a Good Life!

The Wapping Fair was held at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, Ct on September 4th thru September 7th. This fair celebrated its 116th year! I remember attending with my parents when I was a child. Bringing my own children, years ago, had become a family tradition. It has a new location. Same town, but now, for the last two years, it has been located at Evergreen Walk. The organizer for this event is the Jaycees. What a wonderful job they did. I could write pages on this event, however, when you see the photos, the smiling faces, the animals, the many food and fun booths, it is more than words can say. Local merchants are eager to meet you and show you their product. Supporting the Jaycees were several South Windsor businesses. It is such a great sense of community. The Rotary Club was happily, volunteering!

Originally, this fair started to showcase farm animals. This year, they had 5,000 square feet of animal exhibits. It was hard to pick a favorite. From the racing pigs, yes, pigs, that even dive into a pool and swim, to the new baby chicks. The volunteers were very helpful. They held ticket booths for entrance and exiting, directed traffic, helped pedestrians, served hot dogs, hamburgers, fried dough, kielbasa sandwiches, pierogi's (my favorites) and they even had an Italian bakery that served cannoli and gelato.

Here are some of the candid photos that I was able to take.

Racing Pigs! You had to see it!

Magnificent Animals

All sorts of rides kept people busy, too!

Discovering dry ice and how to make it into soda pop.

Local Businesses participate and support in community events, too! This is Birch Mountain Earthworks, LLC. That's a photo of their new building on Rt 5, but, they have been in South Windsor for more than ten years!

The South Windsor Fire Department was giving out safety tips and gadgets. The Boy Scouts gave out files of life, a little record about you, that you place in your refrigerator. If you have a house fire, the firemen can find that valuable information to help you. They ask you to review and update the information in your file of life, every six months.

South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, Captain Brian Peck was offering tours of this grand firetruck!

Pony rides were very popular, too!

There was much to see, eat, ride, and do. Live shows were offered, a magician, Ronald McDonald was there, dancers and more! Hope that, if you were present at this fair, you enjoyed the beautiful animals, the good volunteers and visited the businesses who supported their community and just, had FUN! It was delightful! Thank you Jaycees for an outstanding event. See you next year!

It's a Good Life!

Remember when school started after Labor Day Weekend? It was the true end to summer vacation. We used to take one more trip to Martha' s Vineyard and enjoy the beach, boating and fishing. Just one more time. This year our local towns are starting school next week. School will be half day sessions for two or three days, depending on the town. Then, they will have the Labor Day Weekend off and go back to full time days for the rest of the week. Luckily, the weather has cooled off. I can't imagine having the students sitting in the classrooms in hot weather. We don't offer air conditioning in all of our schools.

Our Governor in Connecticut, has made this week tax free week for back to school shoppers. It will allow you to purchase items, up to $300.00. without paying our 6% tax fee. These items may only be clothing or footwear. In years past, I thought it was for school supplies, too?

Have you been to our local mall? The sales are in every store. Truly, between the tax free shopping this week, and the sale prices throughout the stores, you can save monies in your budget!

So, just a reminder from Fran, get out and go shopping for your school clothes & footwear! The merchants will be happy to help you through the maze of, how much will my child grow by Christmas! ? That was always one of my favorite questions to ask the sales associates. Children seem to grow so much, right after school begins!

Enjoy the time you have with your children shopping and I hope you find some very good buys! Try to make the weekend a short vacation. Remember, some assignments may be, what did you do on your summer vacation?!

It's a Good Life!

The last in the series of films being shown to local families is on Friday, August 22nd. It is held in the Evergreen Walk Shopping Area. Bring your own chairs, seating is limited. The good news is, it is held in the parking area, Lot B. This is the lot behind the Green Tangarine Spa & Salon. (My hairdresser). The movies are shown on an inflatable screen. Snacks, food and beverages are available for purchase from the local merchants. They have pre-show childrens' activites provided, too. The title of the movie for this last show is, Horton Hears a Who. By the way, they have the right to change this movie if they need to:)

The shops do a good service, along with the Town of South Windsor to continue this good work for the local community. I look forward to what they have planned for the fall season.

Enjoy the rest of the school vacation, it is still summer!

It's a Good Life!

Thanks to Eleanor Thorne from Cary, North Carolina, for asking me to share more about me:) She suggested I could use it to find some good recruits for my office. I love that idea:) We are growing this year! Amazingly, I have been to Cary, North Carolina. I have a cousin who lived there a few years ago, that we visited while looking at colleges for my Daughters. Lovely town, with scenery much like Connecticut.

Here we go with the latest super 8 questions!

1) Who is your favorite musical artist? That would be Elvis. His voice was so beautiful.

2) Who is your favorite artist? My Son, Daren. He is now thirty years old:) He would draw trucks when he was little with every last detail. He would draw houses (we used to build them) the same way, with every attention to detail, including the outdoor landscape. It was hard to believe a child drew them. Now, he owns a landscape design/construction business in South Windsor, Ct, Birch Mountain Earthworks,LLC. This year he added, equipment rental, Arnold's Rentals, LLC. If you have a few minutes, take a look at his websites, www.BirchMountainEarthworks.com and www.ArnoldsRentals.com He is amazing!

3) Who is your favorite blogger? My favorite is more than one. I am grateful to those who helped me with my technical issues and to those who have become part of my sphere. The tips about online marketing are super. I like to read Brian Buffini's Blog because he always seems to give out just what I need on that day:)

4) If you could meet anyone (alive or dead) who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them? I would like to meet Oprah. I like how she makes her audience and viewers feel like she is your neighbor, right next door. She really cares about people.

5) What did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher. Though my path went a different way, I was a telephone operator, a waitress through college, sold appliance warrantees, a receptionist for the Ct Dept of Education, Ct State Attorney aide, an engineering aid at P&WA, where I met my husband, then a Mom, a builder and then, a Realtor. I have taught CCD class, cooking classes (junior high) and now Mentor my agents. The Mom job is still the best!

6) What is the most interesting piece of trivia that you know? When you smile, your face uses less muscles than when you frown:)

7) If you could live in any point of history, when would it be and why? I am happy to be right where I am:)

8) What is the most interesting job you have held? The one I have now. I meet different people from all over the world. I am teaching and mentoring my agents. Our business is changing more everyday, which I believe, makes it more challenging and interesting.

Okay, my turn....here are my next super 8 MeMe's:

Nancy Pav

Al Donohue

Dennis Volz

Carol Mc Donald

It's a Good Life!