Take a deep breath, and if you did your job as a parent and actually taught your child to drive (or even paid someone else to do it), and allowed as much practice as possible with you as the passenger, then you have to let go.  I’m not saying to let them have free reign with a car, but you should let them gradually work towards independence.    

What about insurance?  Generally, insurance carriers require you to disclose all licensed drivers in your household.  That means once your child passes his road test you need to notify your insurance company.  Since that insurance policy you have is considered a ‘contract’, you must abide by your insurer’s guidelines and terms of the policy.   Talk to your agent, they will let you know what needs to be done.  You might also find out, and be pleasantly surprised, that your son’s or daughter’s awesome grades could actually work in your favor and qualify for a Good Student discount.   

Finally, relax, if even a little.  You will quickly learn that it’s almost a relief that you don’t have to run back to the store for that forgotten item, send your son or daughter.  Ask them to take their little sister to the mall, or little brother to practice.  Every little bit of extra ‘road time’ helps, and you have to start trusting them at some point. 

Oh, and when they land that summer job, they can at least pay for their gas!

TIPS for Your Young Driver 

• Do not use your cell phone to Text or Talk while driving (it’s the law in NYS)
• Wear your Seat Belt, and make your passenger wear theirs, too.(it’s the law in NYS, too)
• Don’t Blast the Music.  You won’t hear that ambulance that’s trying to get by you.
• Obey the Speed Limit.
• Give driving your Full Attention.  Don’t play with the radio or your Ipod.
• Do not use Cruise Control in the rain.
• Obey ALL traffic lights and cross-walks.
• Be on the lookout for motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians.
• Remember, driving is a Privilege you earn.

 Your SZW Blog Team

Your homeowners’ policy covers for trees, plants, or shrubs on your premises for the following perils: fire or lightening, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles not owned or operated by a resident of the residence premises, vandalism or malicious mischief, or theft. 

The limit is not more than 5% of the dwelling coverage for all trees, shrubs, and plants and not more than $500 for any one tree, shrub, or plant.  So if the vehicle that strikes your garden is driven by someone other than a resident of your house, your homeowners’ policy will respond. 

And now, Commercial Lines Account Manager Matt Briggs, our very own gardening expert, tells us how to create strong plants by properly preparing the seeds.

Strong Seeds for Strong Plants 

It’s that time of year!  Time to start thinking about our springtime garden projects.  Or if you’re like me, you had seeds started 3 weeks ago.  In all reality, unless you have a mild gardening obsession, now is the perfect time to start seeds for some varieties which need a long warm growing season.  The three big ones for me are Tomatoes, Peppers and Pumpkins.  Watermelons also need long growing seasons but they don’t like being transplanted so I don’t start them inside. 

To start seeds inside, you first have to be able to keep them alive long enough and strong enough to plant them out around the last week in May.  Seeds need warmth to germinate but then like it a bit cooler while the seedlings are growing, this keeps them shorter and stockier, which is beneficial for their survival when you do put them in the garden.  I use the red plastic party cups. They are cheap and of a good enough size to go from seed to garden.  You need to punch a few holes in the bottoms of the cups.  A medium sized drill bit makes it a snap, and you can stack the cups to do multiple cups at a time. 

Next you need a good potting mix.  Do not use anything with the word soil on it.  It is too heavy and not conducive to seedlings.  They need light airy material that drains well but retains moisture for a long time.  Potting mixes work well, Pro Mix has a good reputation amongst commercial growers if you can find it.  They had some over at North Star Orchards last time I was over there.  You want to moisten your potting mix; I use a big empty tote, dump the potting mix in, and then start adding glasses of water and mixing it around until it is evenly moist.  It should feel like a damp sponge, not soggy. 

Fill your plastics cups about 2/3 with the potting mix and then make a small hole with a pen or pencil.  Place one seed per cup – don’t worry – most will germinate, and if you have a couple that don’t, you can always throw another seed in there in another week.  Gently cover the seeds and very lightly pack the potting mix down a little.  When watering your seedlings, you need to wet them carefully so you don’t wash the seed around.  A spray bottle works best in this situation, just soak the top a bit (the mix is already moist) and cover with plastic wrap.  If you have nursery trays from years past, or other boxes or trays, you can cover a whole tray of cups with one sheet of plastic wrap.  You don’t need to water these any more until they sprout. 

While waiting for seeds to sprout, you need to keep them warm, like in the 65-70 degree range.  I put them on a bench near one of my old cast iron radiators and they sprout in about 2-3 days almost every time.  Once the first few seedlings sprout, you should remove the plastic wrap.  You can uncover the whole batch, or you could mix and match multiple trays if some need a little more time to sprout.  But usually the ones which haven’t sprouted yet, really have, they just haven’t popped through the dirt yet. 

Next you need ample sun and a cool breeze to strengthen those seedlings over the next few weeks.  A sunny south facing window is good, a south facing Bay window is better, and a south facing 3 season sun room is the next best thing to a greenhouse.  In some instances if you lack the natural sunlight necessary, supplemental light can be had through cheap fluorescent shop lights at a reasonable price.  That is a whole other topic though.  Now, until you plant them out, you want to bottom water your seedlings (remember the holes you put in the bottom of the cups?) and one lesson I have learned, do not overwater.  With a good potting mix, it will be unlikely you need to water more than once every 4-5 days.  Many of you will only need to water every 7-9 days.  When your cups feel light and the soil looks dry fill a deep pan or cookie sheet with 2-3 inches of water.  Place as many cups into the water as you can fit into the pan and let them sit for 30 minutes.  They will wick water up into the potting mix.  Remove them and set on a drying rack with a towel underneath or on something that they can drain out a little bit.  Then put them back in your sunny spot. 

The finishing touches is to put an oscillating fan on them on low power.  This stresses the stems and the plants focus their energy on creating a fatter, stronger stem instead of reaching up for more light.  It also keeps the surface drier to prevent a common seedling problem called damping off.  Keeping the temperature lower is also better, 55-65 is ideal, as warmer temps mean faster growth and surprisingly faster growth is not all that desirable at this point, we really just want to toughen up the top of the plant while it focuses on root growth under the surface. 

My next installment will discuss prepping the garden beds and hardening off seedlings.  

 Matt Briggs

Since 1876, the Oneida County Historical Society has served the citizens of the Mohawk Valley as a museum, research library, and as a center of education.  It holds our shared heritage and records the businesses, families and events that have shaped our region’s identity. 

So, tune in on Wednesday and help support the Society’s mission to preserve, educate and entertain future generations about the people and events that make our area what it is today.  

Oh, and Gary and Steve and the Oneida County Historical Society all thank you!

Wait!  Have to make sure the house is taken care of.  While you might remember to ask the neighbor to get your mail and pick up the newspaper off the front step, you should also think about a few additional ‘house cleaning’ steps to protect your home.  Even though this doesn’t even come close to covering all bases, here’s a few things to think about: 

• Set up automatic timers on your lights, indoors and out.
• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.
• Turn down the heat or air conditioning.
• Turn off the water to your washing machine.
• Leave the radio on low, tuned in to a talk show.
• You can even contact your local police department and ask them if they   can have extra patrols in your area.
• Oh, and tell your kids NOT to post anywhere that they’re going on vacation.  (they can brag about it later)

 Most importantly, relax and enjoy yourself!

 Your SZW Team

This Wednesday, April 4^th is National Start! Walking Day.  That’s right, lace up those sneakers and take 30 minutes to just Walk!  

It starts at noon at the Masonic Care Community, 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica.  You can probably grab a Chobani yogurt (in many, many flavors) on the way.  Oh, and wear green to support the American Heart Association walking movement.

See you there! 

Your SZW Team

You could choose to do your business on-line, or even call that 800 number, and that works out fine for some people.  But what if you have those collectibles, or jewelry that you feel really needs to be insured ‘to value’?  What about your Camp or Seasonal Home?  Can you add that on line?  

In my opinion, I don’t think that website will have those answers.  And, that 800 number?  How do you know you’re talking to a real live person to begin with?  Those specific questions are probably best answered by your Independent Agent.   

Call your local independe agent, they will be glad to help. 

Patty Terenzetti

Since March, 1992, Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc. has been going strong, with many of the same employees, most having 10+ years with us.  I think the only time we’ve replaced an employee in the past 8 years is when someone has retired.  That says a lot about who Gary and Steve really are, family oriented and community minded with the business sense that it takes to keep a business going strong. 

Thank you, and Congratulations on 20 years in business.  

Your SZW Team

Almost everyone knows someone affected by heart disease or stroke.  But, not everyone knows the best way to fight heart disease or stroke.    Go to www.uticaheartrunwalk.org to learn what you can do to stay heart healthy. 

It’s wonderful to see so many people participate in such a great event.  Not only will you do something good for your heart, you will be doing something good for others.

“Learn and Live”

Coverage for water back-up of sewer and drains is included on most homeowner’s policies, but many are limited to $5,000. If you have rental properties, you may want to check those policies, too. 

HOWEVER….coverage for flooding is excluded on homeowners’ policies.   You will most likely find it under the ‘Exclusions’ part of your policy, and probably the definition of flood as well.  Flood Insurance protects you from the run-off of surface waters from any source. 

Want to find out if you are in a flood zone?  Click here for FEMA’s Map ServiceCenter. 

Want to know more?  Give your agent a call. 

…your SZW Team

Big surprise?  Not really!  These two gentlemen are always stepping up to the plate when asked to lend a helping hand.  If you want to help Gary and Steve keep history alive in the Greater Mohawk Valley give them a call, they would be happy to hear from you.

“The Oneida County Historical Society was founded in1876 and has served since that time to collect, preserve and make accessible the past heritage of Oneida County and the upper Mohawk River Valley”.  Won’t YOU help keep history alive?