News and Tips to Make Your Life Easier, Safer and Happier...You’ve heard melanoma is the most...

Excalibur Insurance Group www.eigroup.ca Clinton 800-361-072 Exeter 226-423-3015 Mitchell 800-561-0183 Wingham 866-487-0060

• 4 Tanning Myths Exposed Pg #2

• June Is Known

For Two Things Pg #3

• Tricks For Better

Pics From Your Smartphone Pg #4

• Basement

Flooding Pg #5

• Father’s Day

Word Search Pg #6

• Excalibur Co-op

Student Pg #7

• Referral Rewards

Program Pg #8

The super human brother and sister team of Will and Claire Fleming completed their bike ride across Canada. Excalibur Insurance Group was proud to sponsor the last day of BIKE7650 as they finished their epic Canadian Bike Journey. To read about their last day, visit their blog at http://bike7650.blogspot.ca/ The Fleming Team raised $32,540 for the Canadian

Tire Jumpstart organization over their 45 days. The

effort, sacrifice and determination of the entire Fleming

family, to bike across our great country, pay for their

trip out of their own pocket and raise money for Jump

start Canada is an amazing accomplishment. Will,

Claire, Jen and Ian - thanks for being great role models

for our community and our Country.

We were honoured to have Cory Jewitt, the son of Jeff

and Laura Jewittt, in the office last week. He personally

thanked the Excalibur Insurance Group for sponsoring

him in Triple A

Hockey with the

Huron Perth Lakers

and he gave us a hand-

written thank you card.

The Excalibur Insurance Group's “Greatest Mother in the World” contest winners have been determined. It was amazing and inspirational to see the love everyone has for their mothers. The top three entries by votes for the contest were Kalynn Priestap, Michelle Dantes, Daniel Steep and Sam Morgan (we had a tie in votes). The Excalibur Insurance Group had our Protection Team review all four entries and privately vote for the first and second place winners. The winners are as follows:

• First place winner of the Night in Niagara Falls at the Hilton Hotel Fallsview was Kalynn Priestap (picture above).

• Second place winner of the spa day for two at the Cornerstone Spa was Daniel Steep.

• Everyone who entered and voted on the contest was put into a draw for the third place prize of flowers for a year and the winner was Hannah Margaret from Chatham.

It’s time to celebrate with , or remember your awesome fathers this month. A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again. Happy Father’s Day from the Excalibur Insurance Group Protection Team. Stay tuned for next month when Excalibur launches our new and enhanced brand.

June 2014

News and Tips to Make Your Life Easier, Safer and Happier


Congratulations To Our May Referral Winner

David Plum

4 Tanning Myths

Exposed

You’ve heard melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer (true). You’ve been told that sun exposure is a major risk factor and that you should be

regularly checking your body for new or changing moles (also true). Some widely held beliefs about melanoma, however, are not so true, and the misconceptions could put your health at risk. Here are five myths and the facts behind them.

Myth: All you need is sunscreen.

Fact: It’s certainly important, but alone, it’s not enough. In addition to using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, you should wear a wide-brimmed hat, wrap-around sunglasses (with 99% to 100% UV absorption) and, when possible, a shirt and long pants. Also, seek shade if your shadow appears shorter than you; that’s when the sun is at its strongest, usually from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Myth: Melanomas form only on sun-exposed spots.

Fact: They are more likely to appear on your face, neck, legs and back, but melanomas also can develop on parts that see less sun, such as the soles of the feet, palms of the hands or fingernail beds. Melanoma is almost always curable when it’s found early — get regular doctor checkups, and about once a month, do a self-exam. Check your body from top to bottom, front to back, under your arms, between fingers and toes, and even nail beds. You’re looking for a mole or

marking that is changing in size, shape or color, or one that looks different from any other spot on your body. Melanomas are usually brown or black but can appear pink, tan or white. Report changes to your doctor.

Myth: Only the fair and freckled are affected.

Fact: It’s true that many (many) more Caucasians develop melanoma than African Americans and Hispanics. It’s also true that having red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes, and light skin that freckles or burns easily raises your risk; and new research takes it one step further, suggesting redheads are at an increased risk, even if they don’t spend time in the sun. Darker-skinned people, however, can and do develop melanoma, usually in less-obvious spots; they are also at a higher risk of death from skin cancer.

Myth: A base tan prevents sunburn

Fact: There’s no such thing as a safe or protective tan.

June 2014

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June 2014

In retail circles, June is known for two things: Father’s Day and weddings

Stores know it’s their best chance to sell related merchandise, which is why you’ll see big sales on tools and deep discounts on home items such as serving plates and barware. Shop around — stores are competing for your business, and you may get a better deal if you tell a store clerk you saw it somewhere else for less. So keep an eye out for: Grills and grill accessories Nothing says Father’s Day like a backyard BBQ. True, stores know that, and they may hold back on the biggest slashing of prices until after June 16. But in most parts of the country, the window for unloading outdoor grills is small, and companies are eager to take advantage of Father’s Day interest with attractive offers.

Tools Father’s Day signals an opportunity for home-improvement stores to improve their bottom line. You’ll find quality brands like Craftsman and DeWalt on sale at national hardware retailers. Look for dad discounts, which can run 30% to 50% during June.

Plates and glasses June is the most popular month for weddings, and that means a lot of guests will be looking for gifts. Dishware is a common registry item, and knowing this, many companies will try to undercut the competition. Look for sales of 25% or more at major department stores.

Congratulations to Anita Gross for

winning the Cirque Du Soleil Tickets

Congratulations to Marie Jefferson our

first Golf winner

Tricks For Better Pics From Your Smartphone

If you own a smartphone, it's probably also your camera.

Here's how to optimize your on-the-go shots:

Hold it right:

Today's phones are bigger and thinner, and that means they're harder to hold when snapping photos. Most phone cameras don't offer image stabilization. That means your photos can end up blurry. To compensate, use two hands, and rest your elbows on a surface like your knees or a table.

Zoom with your feet:

True zoom lenses are big and bulky, so smartphones don't have them. Instead, they use a fixed focal length and offer "digital zoom," which simply crops the image. Sadly, that creates blurry, splotchy shots. So if you need close-ups, try to actually move closer to your subject. Need a wider shot? Take a few steps back. Leave the digital zoom alone.

Take advantage of apps: Your phone's default camera app is perfectly adequate, but downloadable alternatives are its biggest advantage over a traditional camera. Instagram and Hipstamatic have huge followings thanks to their easy-to-use one-touch filters, while apps such as VSCO Cam, Camera+, and Snapseed give you deeper control. Best of all, many are free.


Protecting Your Auto, Home, Farm & Business with

these fine companies since 1957!

June 2014

June 2014


Quick & free things everyone can do to reduce the risk of basement

flooding 1. Never pour fats, oils and grease down your

drains 2. Reduce home water use during heavy rains 3. Keep the storm sewer grates on your street

clear of yard waste, leaves, garbage, ice and snow

4. Clean and maintain your eavestroughs and downspouts at least once a year

5. Store anything expensive, valuable or irreplaceable upstairs

6 reasons you should invest in ways to protect your home

1. If water got into your home before, it could get

in again unless you take action 2. Finished basements used as living space may

have more furniture and expensive electronics, making it more important to protect your home

3. Overland flood damage is not covered by your home insurance policy. A small cost now can save you a lot of money after a flood

4. Floods may have long-term health impacts on your family if they cause mold to grow

5. Homes in older neighborhoods are usually more vulnerable than homes in newer neighborhoods

6. Climate change scientists report that severe rain storms are occurring more often in may parts of Canada, and they are expected to continue to increase in frequency and severity.

What to do in order to get started

• Talk to your local government • Talk to you insurance broker • Get a plumber to conduct a plumbing

investigation on your home • Seal cracks in foundation walls and basement

floors • Disconnect your downspouts, add extensions

and splash pads

Basement Flooding

Complete this crossword and bring it into the office. Excalibur Insurance Group will choose Two Winners at the end of the Month!

Last Month’s Winners: Jane Muegge & June DeRuyter

Name:___________________________ Number: ______________________

June 2014

June 2014

Summer Co-op at Excalibur Insurance

My name is Cody Bell and I am an Insurance Co-op student at Fanshawe College. I’m living in Goderich for the summer with my dad and step family until I return to school in the fall. I was born June 1994 in Stratford. I’m an only child but I have two dogs, a Cairn Terrier and Sheltie, that annoy me just the same as siblings would. My dad Ron works at Sifto in Goderich and my mom Linda works at F.A.G. in Stratford. I attended Stratford Northwestern Secondary for grades 7 to 12 plus (fifth year). I worked for a cleaning company for grades 10 and 11 and at Stratford Foodland for grade 12 and fifth year, to help with saving money to go to college. 1. Ski or Sun – Sun, even though I burn easily. 2. Map or GPS- GPS (can never refold the map to fit back

into the glove box) 3. iPhone or Blackberry or Android- Can I be an

iPhone person that’s never had an iPhone? 4. Cable or Satellite – Cable because it’s still possible to

watch TV even if a cloud blows over. 5. Bottled or Tap water – Bottled water, convenient and

portable 6. Burger or Hotdog – Burger, could always go for a nice

venison burger. 7. Beer or Wine- Beer 8. Cat or Dog – Dog 9. Fiction or Non – Fiction - Fiction, my favourites are any

book from the Harry Potter or Hunger Games series.

10. Drive, Walk or Bike - Walk 11. Favourite video game- Sims

Get Your Car Ready for Spring & Summer

Cold-weather driving can cause quite a lot of wear and tear

on vehicles. Low temperatures, salt-covered roads and

heavy snowfall are just a few things that can contribute to

your car needing a tune-up come spring. Here are some

tips you can use to fix the damage and get your car ready

for warmer temperatures:

• Have your alignment checked and adjusted. The

potholes that appear after the snow and ice melts can

throw a car’s alignment off.

• Change your tires if necessary and check the tire

pressure. The rising and falling temperatures during

spring can alter the tire pressure.

• Change your wiper blades. The ice and salt buildup

can wear wiper blades down, leaving them in poor

condition for when you need them during a spring

rainstorm.

• Check your battery. Winter temperatures can

potentially damage your car’s battery connections.

• Clean the interior. After constantly getting in and out of

your vehicle all winter, there is probably a substantial

buildup of snow, salt and grime.


2014 New and Improved Excalibur Referral Rewards Program

Win a FREE iPad Mini

For every Referral you send us we will give you a FREE Large New Orleans Pepperoni Pizza or a gift certificate from Tim

Horton's. Each month your name will be entered into a draw for a chance to WIN an Apple iPad Mini.

GRAND PRIZE ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE – Big Screen TV and an

Xbox One $1,500 Dollar Value!! Draw made December 31, 2014.

CALL 1-800-361-1072 NOW!

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News and Tips to Make Your Life Easier, Safer and Happier...You’ve heard melanoma is the most...

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