I'm delighted to be allowed to post his monthly newsletter on my blog and I will look forward to sharing his insights with you each month. 

If interested in contacting Kramer Capital Management directly, send me and email to: mick@pagetaft.com and will make the introduction. 

Here's Andy's last newsletter: 

Dear clients, friends, family and, I hope, a few prospects:

Will the stock market high registered in the second quarter of 2010 (April 26, with the S&P 500 at 1220) be the high for the year, and possibly years to come?  As longtime readers might guess, we believe that is quite possible and will detail some of our reasons in the forthcoming paragraphs.  Our 4/1/10 letter forecasted increased volatility and more bi-directional markets.  Little did we expect volatility to increase by 40% during the quarter and the S&P 500 to decline, at its nadir, over 12%.  The fact that our accounts were positive for the quarter, and year-to-date, corroborates our 4/1/10 message that only those managers willing to short, hedge, and sell will have the tools necessary to achieve positive performance going forward.  While we, of course, are pleased with our results we remain vigilant and humble as we fully expect markets to become even more volatile and challenging in the months and years to come.

Over the years we have used these letters to detail our concerns as unbridled monetary and fiscal policy begat wanton speculation.  During the crisis and its aftermath we have focused on the potential unintended consequences of the haphazard, ill conceived, and politically motivated responses.  One of our favorite strategists, Kiril Sokoloff of 13D Research, titles his missives, "Thoughts on the end game"; we feel this is an appropriate turn of phrase because what we will witness over coming years will be the destruction of the present system and the eventual emergence of its successor.  There are many potential paths and outcomes and we will not pretend to be able to forecast how this crisis will (continue to) unfold, but we intend to stay focused, alert, with both hands on the wheel. And we plan to have the physical, mental, and capital resources to invest in the next growth cycle when it comes, because another cycle always does.

It is true our outlook has become more apocalyptic, if that is possible, as we survey the present landscape.  Simply put, there is no way to grow our way out of our present condition.  More likely will be wholesale debt repudiation and/or massive monetary inflation or perhaps a combination of both.  We have discussed in detail, over many letters, the myriad economic imbalances that exist in today’s world. Nonetheless, there are so many gargantuan examples of the untenability of the current situation that we will discuss it again.

According to a recent report written by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), "roughly 93 cents of every dollar of federal revenue will be spent on the major entitlement programs and net interest costs by 2020."  What this government issued report tells us is that in only ten years time, .93 cents of every $1.00 of government revenue will be used to fund Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest costs, leaving .07 to fund defense, homeland security, welfare, unemployment benefits, education etc. etc.  We know this is not possible but we don’t know how the problem will be resolved.

What about the precarious state of American states?  A recent report from the U.S. Center of Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that in fiscal 2010 the U.S. states collectively posted a near $200 billion budget shortfall, equivalent to 30% of all state budgets, and that is with $135 billion federal emergency bailout assistance.  The situation of the states is even more precarious than that of the federal government because they cannot print their own currency, and because they have a large number of fixed costs which continue to expand.

As dire as the current projections are, the possibility of their being understated is real, as the demographic tide of aging baby boomers compounds the current problems.  As our largest generation moves into its retirement years we should see tax revenues weaken and social safety-net obligations increase.  As Graham Fisher’s Josh Rosner wrote in a recent report,

These boomers are now moving to become the largest tax on the social safety net.  The largest generation in U.S. history will retire with less equity in what has historically been the largest retirement and intergenerational wealth transfer asset for most families—their homes.  In many cases, these people will have no new personal savings when they reach the end of their working lives and will essentially become wards of the state.  This increased burden on the U.S. Treasury, in a decade, is the largest unconsidered impact of the current crisis.

When will our credit markets begin to unravel is just a guess, but one should look to the recent credit market turmoil in Greece as an indication of what we should expect over time.  Much is written to the effect that these problems will stay localized in the PIGS (Portugal, Iceland, Greece and Spain) and potentially Britain as well, but that we in the U.S. are safe because the dollar is the world’s reserve currency, we are the most powerful military force, etc.  To that we simply say "balderdash."  As we have said before and will say again, when a credit bubble blows there is no escaping the eventual pain and suffering that ensues.  It might not be evident in today’s market but it is short-sighted and financially ignorant to be unprepared for the eventual credit debacle that will unfold sometime in the future.

Unfortunately the list of problems does not stop there.  The perilous fiscal situation in Europe, rising social unrest in China, the percolating ethnic and religious tensions in 

Afghanistan, Pakistan and now Kyrgyzstan is now suddenly dwarfed by the potential devastation occurring in the Gulf of Mexico.  We will not delve into the potential nightmare scenarios we believe can unfold as this catastrophe grows.  Suffice it to say that we are already a weakened power and this crisis can only exacerbate our decline.

How to manage a portfolio in this environment?  There are always options and possibilities, which is what makes our job so endlessly fascinating and challenging. Whether it is a special situation, undiscovered by the market, or a tactical move contrary to prevailing trends (our most recent example of this was our quick strike this quarter in the volatility index—VXX), we are always searching, studying, and learning to position our portfolios correctly.  The one area that has been and will be our preferred overweight, perhaps for years to come, continues to be the gold mining sector.  We see gold trading at all-time highs but we believe that is not yet reflected in the gold mining sector.  Appendix A is a chart comparing the gold miners to the price of gold.  The chart shows that for the first 6 years of the current gold bull market the miners fluctuated between overvalued (red line) and undervalued (green line) in a well defined band.  The global credit crisis has disturbed this relationship.  Even a move back towards the lower undervalued band, which we believe is quite probable, will greatly enhance the value of our portfolios.  We continue to believe that when the current financial architecture fails, the rush to own gold will remind us of the internet frenzy at its height.  Anecdotally, we remain quite comfortable with our overweight positions as we have yet to find anyone we talk with who shares our position.  The more we get laughed at or dismissed, the better we like it. 

Please note the change in our logo and stationery, courtesy of my sister Rebecca, web-site designer.  In addition, please update your records to reflect our new contact information.  Rebecca is also working with us to build a web-site which will archive our letters from 2006 to the present.  We plan to be updating the site regularly to include commentary, charts and quotes and to build it out as the year progresses, so please bookmark it on your browser and check in with us periodically throughout the quarter.  Thank you for your continued support.

 Andrew Kramer Shu Wu

Portfolio Manager Associate

Appendix A

"Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 7.9 percent to an annual level of 960,000 in June and are 17.1 percent above June 2009. The median price in the Northeast was $244,300, down 1.2 percent from a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest dropped 7.5 percent in June to a pace of 1.23 million but are 11.8 percent higher than a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $155,900, down 0.1 percent from June 2009. 

In the South, existing-home sales fell 6.5 percent to an annual level of 2.01 million in June but are 11.0 percent above June 2009. The median price in the South was $163,600, unchanged from a year ago. 

Existing-home sales in the West dropped 9.3 percent to an annual pace of 1.17 million in June but are 0.9 percent higher than a year ago. The median price in the West was $221,800, up 1.5 percent from June 2009."

Source: National Association of Realtors®

Crimson Hooded Manakin                                Nick Athanas ©2010

I visited Nick two years ago and spent ten days with him. We went from the high Andes to the Amazon rain forest. It was a great experience. It is difficult for someone from the U.S. to comprehend the incredible number and variety of bird species in South America. Here in Connecticut, we have one hummingbird, the Ruby Throated. During my ten days in Ecuador, I saw over 50 different hummingbirds - there are over 140 in Ecuador alone and many more throughout South America!

Bronzy Jacamar                                                Nick Athanas ©2010

My favorite part of the trip was my stay at the Tandayapa Bird Lodge which is affiliated with TropicalBirding.com. The lodge was built in 1999 on a steep ridge at an elevation of 6000 feet in the Andes cloud forest. There are twelve fully furnished rooms and a spacious balcony that looks out over the forest. Meals are included in the room rate and the food here is excellent. Whether you have an interest in birds or not, this is a great place to just relax and get away from it all - no internet, no telephone, no interruptions! You can just enjoy the lodge and the balcony or you can walk the many trails and dirt roads - the mountain views and wildlife are spectacular. However, if you are looking for nightlife and/or tourist attractions, this is definitely not the place to go!

Hyacinth Macaws                                             Nick Athanas © 2010

So, if you are looking for an unusual vacation in South America or any of a number of exotic locations world wide, contact Tropical Birding.com. You won’t be disappointed - I know I wasn’t.

Balcony at Tandayapa Bird Lodge  As many as 20 different hummingbirds can be seen at these feeders at the same time!

When the economy was humming, stories of family farms being sold off and cut up for subdivisions were commonplace. The downturn seems to have slowed that trend and produced at least one story of an entrepreneurial couple buying a family farm, well, to farm it.

Mary Conklin, a former Pennsylvania State University agricultural extension educator, and her husband Peter, a fruit farmer-turned-IT professional, became owners of a 65.7-acre spread in NorthWindham last August. Since then, the couple, 56 and 65 respectively, have been hard at work refurbishing the two barns on the former hay farm and preparing a flat, open field next to their home on Route 203 for 4,800 raspberry plants.

They can't say exactly when their pick-your-own berry operation will open, but expect it to be sometime around July 2011. Blueberry plants will be added next year, said Mary, as well as a farm stand where they plan to sell herbs, flowers and some vegetables.

"Our goal is for it to be sustainable, to do little or no spraying," she said, "minimal spraying to the degree possible."

Mary Conklin, who grew up outside Boston, has an unadorned, no-nonsense style. Peter hails from New York state and is more sparing with words.

Peter Conklin knows a lot about family farms. The farm he grew up on in Rockland County had been in his family since 1712. He worked that land as a young man, but as more and more of the rented acreage was sold off for housing developments, he bought a farm in the Hudson Valley, where he grew vegetables, apples, cherries and pears.

Mary Conklin was working for Cornell University's Agricultural Extension Service at the time, and Peter Conklin was one of her growers. The two married in 1983, a year after she took the job.

Peter Conklin sold the fruit farm in 1995 and, after a short stint in Virginia, moved to Pennsylvania with Mary and their two children. Mary took a job with Pennsylvania State University's Agricultural Extension Service and Peter switched from full-time farming to IT work. He picked up the skills developing software for tracking costs, inventory, payroll and other records on his own farm, which he sold to other growers.

Combing The Internet

It was during that decade in Pennsylvania that their dream of a pick-your-own berry farm took root.

"We knew we wanted to get back into farming," explained Mary Conklin. "We wanted to grow berries. We always live in our garden."

They chose Connecticut because their daughter and Mary Conklin's parents live here. The couple combed the Internet for potential properties for five or six years, sending Mary's parents to check out those that sounded promising.

Mick Marsden, a real estate agent with the River to Shore Group of Page Taft Real Estate, recalled how well-prepared the Conklins were when they arrived to look for themselves. Along with information on the farm, they carried data about the soil, what had been grown there and much more, he said.

"It was a real education for me," said Marsden.

Shift To A Retail Model

Pick-your-own farms in Connecticut are a thriving enterprise. A state Department of Agriculture brochure lists 65 throughout the state, but the actual number may be considerably higher, said department spokeswoman Linda Piotrowicz.

Their popularity correlates to the exploding interest in locally grown produce and the fact that fruit picking is an activity families can enjoy together, she said.

Since the late 1990s, the state's $2.2 billion agriculture industry has been undergoing a shift from a wholesale to retail model, added Ron Olsen, a marketing and inspection representative with the department. Pick-your-own farms and, more recently, the surging number of farmers markets, community-supported agriculture sites and farm stands have all contributed to that change, he said.

Taking Hold

The farm the Conklins bought had been in the same family for generations, and members of the family still live across the street. The couple paid $465,000 for rolling grounds, which also came with a Cape-style farmhouse dating to 1850. Thoughts of renovating it to live in, however, had to be scrapped, the couple said. The structure was so old and needed so much work that they salvaged what they could and had it demolished.

The Conklins instead put up a modular house around Thanksgiving and moved into it in mid December, the day before a major snowstorm. The heart of the house is a large central room with a kitchen, living and dining area and fireplace. Light pours in through its many windows. As the couple sit side-by-side on one of the sofas, Aiden, their 10-year-old yellow lab, nestles sleepily at their feet.

They have renamed the farm Raspberry Knoll Farm. Passers-by asked if they were planning to raise llamas when, in early spring, they began surrounding the raspberry field with deer fencing.

Peter Conklin still does IT work for a bank and shuttles between his new home and offices in Boston and Providence. Finally having their farm and being closer to family is nice, Mary Conklin said. Their daughter and their son, who lives in Vermont, helped them get all the raspberry plants in the ground, she said. The rain and warm, sunny weather in recent weeks have helped them take hold.

"It's like watching babies grow," she said.

BNI Member Pete McLaughlin & Mary Ellen McQuire of McClaughlin Associates, the go-to place for all your insurance, in Madison learned about my photography and creative skills through BNI and tole me that I should meet Richard Parri, the idea man behind the new ImageAmmo software for consumers and pros alike. They were right, Richard and I hit it off from the start. 

Friendly, smart, creative, Richard's background was in finance. He built a sizable company that he was at the helm of until 49 when a heart attack changed his course. After 16 years being in the slow lane, the notes and diagrams he created during this time in a simple spiral bound book need to finally come to life. 

Rich Parri, the creative genius behind ImageAmmo at his bank of HD flatscreens demonstrating the  product to me. 

During his time away from the corporate world, he visualized a product that would make presenting images to the world in a unique, dramatic, and interactive way.  The concept got off the ground when Rich met up with Logan Chittenden, a developer that could share Rich's vision. With past experience in game development as well as data management programming, together they refined and grew Rich's notes into the visual treat it has become. More importantly for the consumer and pro alike, a Rhesus Monkey could interface with it. Hyperbole, I know, but it's really stupid simple. 

I had interest in learning more on many levels. As a professional photographer I am always looking for new and creative ways to showcase the many homes my River to Shore Group team presents on line. For the occasional wedding or event I shoot I found ways to share the images with my clients in ways so creative it's not just leading edge, I'd have to say it's bleeding edge. 

Richard and Logan have been working tirelessly on this project for about a year.  I met Richard in his Madison, CT home office perched on the 3rd floor of that takes advantage of serene views his waterfront home's offers. I can't see how I'd get tired of working there. When I arrived the banks of large, flat HD screens reminded me of those TV shows and movies with the super-geek behind a keyboards chasing down criminals, Wall Street thieves, terrorists, and the like. It was simply the perfect venue for him to show me the many ways this product could be used. I was wildly excited. 

Given that a photo is worth a thousand words, the best way to get your arms around the product is to visit: http://imageammo.com/

For me the future is clear. Photography clients would receive a personalized "thumb" drive with their photos and ImageAmmo runtime program on it instead of the old DVD's which can travel a whole lot easier. Buyer's of Real Estate will have a great time exploring the photos of any home I publish online in the very near future. It'll be a killer app for my new iPad to say the least. 

Kiosks are a great use for this technology as well. If you want to see an example Rich and Logan's good work and have a great meal to boot (the make the best pomme frites)  go to Cafe Routier on RT in Westbrook (www.CafeRoutier.com) where a large touch screen is mounted on the wall in the lounge area for customers to interact with. Very cool. 

I'll be writing more on this great technology as it unfolds. I'll certainly be at the front of the line to incorporate this into my real estate marketing, so hey, Rich and Logan, get the pro-application finished will ya?

If you're into social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the like, TweetDeck is the best aggregator I've seen. In addition to making it incredibly easy to make posts to whatever accounts you have ownership of or administrator rights. When a post is made in a channel or column you created on the deck, it will feed that post automatically through Adobe Air which places the message into a neat, small, translucent window in any corner you prefer. Goto TweetDeck.com to download the software and try it out. It's fabulous to write and post one message that's appropriate for 5 accounts in one click, photos, and more.

Another natural addition to your communications palette is the Mac Mail plug-in known as "Herald" written by Erik Hinterbichler from Mountain View, CA (Where else?). It's simply an elegant solution, beautifully coded, and a must have for someone who want's to be on top of their email.

Since using it I find I can quickly delete the items I'd be deleting when I poured over a long list of unread mail, immediately respond to those items requiring it, and simply check off that I read those that I want to keep that require no response at all, or lastly simply click it off for me to deal with within Mail at a later time. 

It is highly customizable and there is simply nothing I can find wrong with it from either a design or function perspective. Goto: http://erikhinterbichler.com/software/herald/ for a free download. You might want to donate some $$ to the author letting him know in green what you think of his fine work. 

If you do use it, please post your comments here so others can read the consensus on this plug-in

On a personal level, I can't see how anyone could dislike the laid back, smiling demeanor of this creative professional. It turns out that Jim and I had many, many friends and acquaintances in common as well as avocations including sailing and travel. We're kindred spirits on the creative level as well.  

Jim at the helm of the Amistad, a boat and organization he is so passionate about. 

I discussed with him his business principles and his approach to design adn architecture and learned that and much more. Jim felt it was the right time to take a new look at the way owners; designers and builders approach potential new projects. It’s no surprise to anyone that everyone is holding on to his or her budgets more tightly than we’ve seen for decades. And yet, we all want to continue to move forward with the ever-growing deferred maintenance and renovation projects.

One of Jim's sensitive historic restoration projects located in Essex

To accomplish this, JRM Architecture has developed a new way to structure A/E design and construction teams that works better for all of us in this challenged economy.

Essentially, Jim has cut most of overhead costs and is able to pass the cost reductions along to clients. He has created an alliance of professionals, combining some of the most talented and seasoned professionals in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island. They offer complete Architectural and Engineering services including feasibility studies large and small, schematic budget estimates, construction documents and construction administration, as well as specialty services such as program space planning, laboratory space planning, planning and research for project financial funding, historic planning and preservation, LEED planning and certification fulfillment documentation.

Because of this “no overhead” structure, they are able to take on small renovation projects and additions to the large academic and commercial projects for which the team have become known.

Being idle is not an option to stay competitive.  The JRM Architecture | Interiors | Planning team would be happy to discuss their qualifications and discuss any project you may have to help you find ways to move ahead, despite a tight budget.

Jim at Essex's Town Hall Auditorium at a weekly Riverside BNI Meeting

CALL JIM AT (860) 391-9072 OR EMAIL HIM AT jamesmartinarchitecture@gmail.com

Todd Hartt, whose just joined the illustrious mortgage team, recently left Edward Jones for an opportunity to work with the best. Todd became acquainted with Fenwick Mortgage through his membership at the Riverside BNI chapter that meets each Tuesday at 7:3o am at Essex Town Hall Auditorium. 

Todd Hart: Mortgage Originator Extaordinaire

I met with Todd a few weeks back to get to know him and his work ethic. Wow. Todd's demeanor and attention to detail makes him well suited as the lead representative for the firm. Todd's got more licenses than a boatload of fishermen, Series 7, 66, life and health insurance licenses, and of course hie holds both a national and state mortgage originator's licenses. His background and experience makes him your best choice for your next mortgage or refi. Todd holds an MBA from SCSU as well. 

Prior to working for Edward Jones in Essex, he has 11 years experience in marketing and sales in the Pharmaceutical industry with Pfizer. 

Todd is a local person who was born and raised in Old Saybrook. He is an avid skier and sailor and has 15 years experience professionally in the marine industry, most of that here in Essex. 

He lives here with his 3 daughters and wife, Nicole. 

If you don't know Melissa Ziobron here in East Haddam, you might want to get to know her especially if you're a business owner of any kind. She's got a tough job as the lead person on East Haddam's Economic Development Committee. She works tirelessly to help business owners clear hurdles, find space, and the like to make their business happen. Business of all kinds benefit our town on a multitude of levels: they pay taxes, provide jobs, and some bring in customers to town who'd have no reason to visit that may spend their dollars elsewhere. 

The benefits are obvious however town commissions and some of the ordinances they rigidly enforce create obstacles that sometime send businesses to other towns that are more business friendly. Melissa personifies pro-business so seeking her help is wise.

Melissa Ziobron the gal on the go... 

I've gotten to know Melissa over the past few years and she seems to be everywhere. I love her broad smile and upbeat attitude on life and our town. She's a fantastic woman on all levels. She's been instrumental in helping my wife's business, CT Farm Fresh Express relocate from a home based business to temporary quarters in the industrial park in a space owned by Parady and Sons, who treated her very well, to her permanent location on 24 Mt. Parnassus Road owned by none other than Bob Casner. Bob too has been great to work with and has done a very nice job readying the location for her business. The bottom line is that none of this would have been possible without Melissa's tireless efforts.

Deb Marsden in front of her new location for CT Farm Fresh Express on 24 Mt. Parnassus Road. 

Melissa was born in 1971 and lived here with her family until she was 4. Her family relocated to East Hampton for a while but came back to East Haddam a short time later so she's been here from her school years to the present. She's been married to Scott Ziobon, her husband of 16 years, and together raise their 2 children, Brittany (15) and Bryan (11). 

Ernie & Cindy Piatti, owners of the Hilltop BBQ & Steakhouse are grateful for the support and guidance that Melissa gave them in getting their great restaurant open.

She had aspirations to be first selectman in 2005 but sadly lost. That failure taught her a lot about communication and the frustration of party politics. She also learned how to really see an issue from both sides and how to build bridges and foster compromise that works. That knowledge has made her a great asset to the EDC and our community. 

Melissa assisted Marcy Vitigliano's new Morning Glories Foral Design in coming to town from Norwich.

In 2007 she took the position at the EDC instead of putting her family through another race for the 1st selectman's post because she thought she could do more for the town in this capacity. I have to agree. She knows how to surround herself with individuals that possess talents and attributes to complement hers and it shows in how much she gets done on the short 14 hours a week the town pays her to do this most critical function. In my opinion they should pay her for a full week and reduce hours in a less important function in town government. But that makes too much sense. (Sorry for my cynical comments about government and the moronic decisions that are constantly made at all levels of government. I don't think I'll get much blow back on that comment, but then again...)

Long blogs aren't good so I don't want to go into too much detail on the tax incentives that are in place for both new and existing businesses. Melissa tole me that there are breaks for home based to larger businesses, that will make East Haddam look more attractive to new business and existing businesses alike.  Melissa told me that a business that invests $3m will be awarded an 80% tax abatement over 7 years! She tells me a $25K to 150K investment will get that business a 50% tax abatement for 2 years. There's more for home based business and the like so I encourage you to call her for details. She told me that full details would be on her EDC page within the new town website soon. 

One things for sure: To know Melissa is to love her. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious. You'll leave her feeling better than when you arrived to talk to her. 

As I left her from our meeting I asked her what she saw as the biggest problem we have in our democracy both here and elsewhere and her reply was spot on from my perspective: Getting credit for the idea overrides the true merit and benefit of the law or policy itself. We see it constantly: Not your idea? Then it's bad. With both sides doing it all the time, we the people get sold short each and every time. So laws that would be really beneficial don't get passed and the ones that do get passed help the wrong people or are just plain stupid and ineffective. Let's just leave it there. 

To contact Melissa call (860) 227-3411 or email her mzlighthouse@comcast.net

Their facility is top notch and cutting edge. Their capabilities are endless. Want to wrap a bus, car, or other vehicle with your message. No problem. Trade show signing, decals, jobsite signs, banners, carved and cutting 3D architectural signage, boat and car graphics and lettering, A-frames, ADA signage and more. 

Andrew Vercillo will take your design and make it happen or create a design for you that will wow you!

Their new laser engraving services will allow Computer Signs to make 3D or 2D incredible detail on just about any material you can think of. I was blown away by the small tolerances of cut outs on an acrylic sample Andrew showed that happened in about 24 seconds. Wood, corona, engraving stock for labeled switch panels, metal, you name it. 

Andrew enters data into his computerized cutting lathe that creates his 3D signage and projects. 

Computer Signs is open 9-5 Monday - Friday, Saturday 9am - Noon. Call them at 860-388-9773

The friendly staff wants to make you happy!

So next time you need a sign, badge, banner, wrap, or anything you need to hand a sign on, call the capable and affable team at Computer Signs. 

Marcy Vitigliano, Floral Designer Extraordinaire

Marcy Vitagliano moved her Morning Glories from Norwich, CT to East Haddam next to where Curves used to be in the Old Lumberyard center. After a great start in Norwich business wise, her location had fallen upon some bad luck. The first bad thing that happened was her store was shot in a drive-by shooting of a human victim. A 9mm slug went through her store 5 feet below the bed she was sleeping in as she lived above the business on Broadway in Norwich.

"Woody" may sometimes greet you. No that's not Scooby-Doo

The following week a stabbing occurred in her entry way. Then a murder happened around the corner a couple of weeks later. These events kept customers away from her store and put her biz into a tailspin. Norwich was simply not subscribing to the fresh air and sunshine attitude she thrives on. A burglary was the straw that broke the camel's back and that they say was that. 

No carnations or baby's breath can be found in this cooler.

Marcy worked various jobs in the food service business she's been acquainted with the past 20 years and after meeting her significant other who lives in East Haddam, he told her to get out of Norwich and move here where things are a whole lot more conducive to her lifestyle and business goals. 

Marcy offers other gifts items to accompany her floral arrangements.

She is a very sensitive person and will still tear up the client who comes to her for a funeral arrangement shares their story of loss. She has the ability to listen to her client describing the person whose life they're honoring and transcribe that into a design that will project who that person was. 

Exotic species and a talent for putting things together will have you leaving with extraordinary arrangements. 

She is a premier designer for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and any other event you can think of. Want to stay out of trouble? Join Marcy's "Stay Out of Jail" program. Give Marcy your name, email, delivery address, all the important dates in your life, a credit card, and she'll take care of the rest. 

Her hours are 9:30am to 6pm Monday - Friday; Saturday from 10 till when she feels like going home. I didn't say that…she did. 

Marcy's website,  morninggloriesct.com, is being redesigned by local businessman Stephen Shaw's Payson LLC, so stop back to see it when it's done. Email her at: morningglories4u@yahoo.com or call 860-891-8216.

See you around town. 

As I write this it is 6:00am on a Friday morning in late April. According to our local weather prognosticators, we should have temps in the low 70’s today and the 80’s on Saturday and Sunday. Joy, my fiancée, and I are very tuned into the wildlife and growing things. With 200 acres of woodland behind our Old Lyme home and another 400 in front, we do get our share of birds and animals. 

The excitement this week was definitely the return of the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. Last year we had four feeders out and counted as many as 12 of these beautiful little birds at one time. And boy do they put on a show! For those who do not know, these hummingbirds are territorial and very aggressive. They are constantly bullying each other and chasing all over the yard. We have a large awning over one level of our deck and these tiny little rockets will fly right through and will sometimes stop and hover right in front of our faces as if to say “Hello and thanks for the food”! Another of our wonderful feathered friends that visited us this week was a Barred Owl – fairly small so probably a male. He was here for around a half hour and kept going from tree to tree – probably looking for one of our many Chipmunks. He was finally chased away by several Blue Jays. We have also been entertained by a pair of nesting Red Shouldered Hawks. To round off the day, our local Opossum wandered through the yard right after dark to eat his fill of the spilt birdseed. We suspect that he has taken up residence under our deck.

And of course, the other big spring bonus is the flowers. Joy has planted at least 2000 daffodil and tulip bulbs on our property so far and is enthusiastically planning to put in at least a thousand more this fall – that’s what happens when you have a big piece of land – things tend to get out of hand! To add even more color to the spring pageant, we are having a spectacular year for the flowering trees especially the dogwoods and cherries. And of course, spring would not be complete without fresh asparagus right out of your own garden. We cut ours for the first time this year – ah, nectar of the gods!

So, in closing, take some time away from your busy day to get outside and really appreciate this beautiful spring weather – who knows, it may be the last for many years!

From the bid process through the creation of the new municipal website, the quest for the following new features, has guided the process:

• A centralized community calendar with customized views.  Citizens will be able to submit appropriate calendar events themselves – their postings would go live on the calendar following administrator approval.  
• One Town website combining the appropriate content of the old municipal site www.easthaddam.org and the Economic Development Commission’s business and tourism site www.easthaddam.net.
• An updated, user-friendly design and navigation system that allows an interactive form of communication between citizens and the Town governing body.  
• A comprehensive search feature to allow for an easy search through all documents, PDF’s, pages and calendars within the site.
• A content management system for organizing, storing and accessing municipal documents, such as reports, agendas and minutes.  Designated Town staff or volunteer administrators will have the ability to post or revise their own content in a timely manner, without the need for a website programmer.
• The ability to download forms on-line and an option for departments to allow citizens to submit forms on-line in the future.
• A RSS “subscription push system” to notify residents of emergency information, alerts, news, and calendar postings.
• Photo showcase of key Town locations.

The Town of East Haddam is pleased to present this new website to the townspeople to use, maintain and support.  We hope that residents and visitors will browse the new website and enjoy the new content.  Check back often as the website will continue to be revised as everyone learns the best use of this new technology together.

Your's truly in front of the Skyhawk. Proof I lived through my own piloting. 

I took some great photos of friend's house on Foxboro Point then over the foot of main towards Benson. After that we flew down the river to take photos of the shoreline, Old Saybrook, Fenwick and then to Chalker Beach to take photos of 98 Chalker Beach Road (visit: 98ChalkerBeachRoad.com) before we turned to back to Chester. I took a few more of homes I am hoping to list soon. Positive thinking is the key for sure. 

The Foot of Main and The CT River Museum in Essex, CT

20 Benson Lane on Middle Cove in Essex available for sale now. 

When we landed I blurted out to my great pilot Jason "You have an extra hour?" 

Jason said: "In fact I do!"

I told him how I started to take lessons when I was young and asked if we could go back up only with me behind the yoke. And that was that. 

I taxied ok until it came time to stop on a straight line which took getting used to again. After making sure it was clear push the throttle to full and moments later after I gently pulled back after reaching 60knots I felt us lift off and I was flying. 

Jason Fanghella, my very competent charter pilot and instructor

Jason is a deft pilot and instructor and directed me through numerous turns, ascents, descents, and the like. I had turned the plane north towards East Haddam to land at the Goodspeed airport as I've seen many a time done by other pilots on my trip home across our famous swing bridge. It was not graceful but acceptable as we were able to take off again. 

Jean Dow, your trusted facilitator of flight, charter, and lessons.

I took off from Goodspeed and turned on a heading of 240 for Chester Aiport where my landing there was more like a real landing. I can't wait to come back for more. 

When I was paying the bill I looked up and realized what happened when I read the quote they had on the wall: 

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. 

Leonardo DaVinci

Chester Airport is a very well maintained small airport in Chester, CT. Chester. It's easy to find when in the air, easy to get to by car, and offers many services from service to private charters to lessons. Even in Bi-Planes!

Chester Charter is owned and operated by Bruno Kitka, Chief of Operations and Chief Pilot. Most everyone gets to know his partner Jean Dow, who is Chester Charter, Inc.'s VP. Last but not least and my favorite pilot is Jason Fanghella. Frank's direct line is 203-415-0498 and his email is rossiman61@comast.net.

Chester Charter and Jean can be reached by telephone by calling: 860-526-4321. She's a delight to work with and will arrange your charter, lessons, or rental. Chester Charter is located at 61 Winthrop Road, Chester, CT 06412. 

The 800 pound gorilla in the room was of course FHA. Well that ape can now leave as FHA has now officially accepting Docusigned contracts. 

We'd love to represent you as a buyer's agent or seller. Give us a short amount of your time and allow us to show you how we differ from other agents and teams and why we continue to produce sales beyond expectation. 

Here are links with more info on this announcement. 

Mortgage Letter

HUD.GOV website

Acceptance of Esign

Become part of our success.

It's a shore thing.™

Each time I returned it's been busy regardless of the time I was there. Ernie's big smile is also there to greet you many times. Nothing, I mean nothing was a disappointment. One Friday night I brought my young nephew Dan to dinner with his insatiable appetite and upon my suggestion wolfed down a delicious half pound, stomach busting, Bison burger that he loaded with cheese, bacon, and sauteed onions. He was just getting going. 

Although I was intending on ordering the burger too I had to try the Prime Rib. I took the end cut and it came to me just the way I like it, medium rare (rare for end cut, I know). The portion was huge, the meat tender and flavorful, as was the au jus.

Hilltop BBQ's new outdoor dining area under the lights. 

What prompted this "circling back" blog post was Wednesday evening with my beautiful daughter Aimee and my grandchildren Phoebe Shea and Zane. Of course the kids wanted to eat outdoors which was a great idea given the unseasonable 85° temp we enjoyed. Hilltop BBQ was busy inside and out! Many families were outside because the rug-rats could carry on and the noise just went out into the warm wind. We enjoyed a great sunset and had a great meal. 

The kids loved the children's menu and the adults their choices. Hilltop does a great job on their sliders by the way. 

There were some that posted negative comments about pricing which I will respectfully have to disagree with. It's more about the value than being "cheaper." I love the convenience of a great family restaurant a mile away. The 16oz. prime rib I had was just $14.95. 

Service remains great and their success seems to be insured given the many patrons I see when I dine there. Ernie and company are doing a great job. Check it out soon. 

Enter stage right: Gene Coviello of Top Coat Painters and Ceiling Pro Cleaners. Gene has a smile as wide as the Nile and a personality that goes along with it. He's a little Mario Brothers and a little atomic bomb. He absolutely LOVES what he does and it not only shows in a general conversation or when he speaks at the Riverside BNI meetings where he services as Secretary and Treasurer, it shows up on the walls and ceilings he and his crew touches. Whether you're looking to quote a commercial job or a residential job, call Gene to get a quote.

My first experience with Gene is when a home I was selling just two weeks from closing had water damages caused by clogged gutters and ice damming. To make matters worse it was a pop corn ceiling. I called Gene and within the hour on a Saturday morning I received a call back. I gave him the scope of the job and within the next hour he was on the line with my seller. 

Suffice it to say that during that week he showed up with that smile and a crew and over the next few days made the repair and repainted the ceiling and you could not tell where the old popcorn left and the new popcorn began. We closed on schedule and the buyer was delighted to see the 'free' improvement. 

Assisted by BNI member Chris Burdo, Gene Coviello of Top Coat Painters and Ceiling Pro Cleaners demonstrates the efficacy of his acoustic tile restoration process. 

Gene's Ceiling Pro's do some unique work and restoration. How many times have you looked up an an aging and stained Armstrong suspended ceiling and asked yourself when the store or office was going to do something about it? Riverside BNI meets at the Essex Town Hall Auditorium and man could that ceiling use some help. It just makes the place feel old and unkempt instead of historic if you get my gist. 

Until I met Gene's Ceiling Pro's I had thought it was simply taking the old ones down and tossing them and putting new ones up. That is of course if the suspension frame isn't discolored and rusty. During Gene's presentation to the chapter and to the amazement of all, Gene treated the worst of the worst panels and they miraculously returned to their original color and appearance! How green does that get! 

Week after week this amiable man named John Parunak got up to do his 30 second commercial as we all do at our meetings. He broadcast that he was a wealth advisor which certainly was nebulous to me. He kept saying that he wasn't there to replace my estate attorney, my stock broker and the like. He used an analogy of getting up in a helicopter to see the big picture and how the various disciplines in one's life plan may have holes or oversights whereby one might be giving a lot of money to the IRS or an unintended beneficiary. 

I decided to use John but warned him that he need only a step ladder to sufficient altitude to see my "big" picture. John arrived at my home dressed as you'd expect an financial man of his caliber to be, and an essence that gave one comfort as he came into my home. 

John was erudite, articulate, and thoughtful. He spent 45 minutes asking questions, making sure we knew the information we gave him was confidential, and we quickly got that his varied experience a banker, in life insurance, and investments was key to his ability to do what he is doing now. I could see that he really loved what he was doing. I know because my level of wealth certainly could not be the reason. 

John Parunak doing what he loves...

John returned a few days later with what he discovered: the were perforations in our life plan. He found a whole life policy was still pointed to an ex-spouse and her son for starters, good one, and many other areas that needed attention that you tend to forget about once you get caught up in life. 

We have decided to continue to tap John's vast knowledge and expertise so formulate a plan that works for us. From business succession to estate planning to insurance and more. We love his congenial personality and warm ways. 

At this point in life you probably already have an estate attorney, stock broker, insurance agent, and the like. My wife and I certainly have all that in place. John doesn't and isn't looking to replace anyone. He looks for where these disciplines may not be quite lined up. He looks for oversights in current estate planning, business succession plans, and the like. It's different for everyone. 

Here's the good news. Meeting John for 45 minutes to get a look at what you're doing is free. He may just say, "Hey…you are looking great and really don't need me." At that point you'll have had the pleasure of meeting this man which will not be a regret. You can take that to the bank. If you do need him, his value will always exceed the cost of services. That too can be banked. 

Click here to visit John's Website

Call him: 860 575-0422

The stereotype for contractors is that they don't show up, do what they say, finish the job, charge what they estimate, or simply call back. Certainly I've experienced this stereotype more than I'd like to remember. As a successful real estate agent, it's critically important to me to have a pool of contractors to not only follow Woody Allen's 80% model, but to give me the other 20% for a fair price, (Notice I didn't say "cheap price." Cheap seldom puts you ahead of the game), complete the job in a timely manner, clean up behind, present an invoice that reflects the original estimate, etc.

I wrote recently about a client who had a water in basement emergency and was out of state for the foreseeable future. I had reached out to A J Shea Construction for emergency services (most connote A J Shea with just building but they're much more. Read "Water in your Basement Blog") to remediate the water and propose a plan for the homeowner to return whole. 

Ed Epright of Riverside Electric

Joseph reached out to another Riverside BNI member Ed Epright of Riverside Electric (no, we didn't name our chapter fate Ed's biz so he must be honored in a way.;) and both Joseph and Ed met me at the house on a sunny and beautiful Saturday morning. Joseph had already cleared the water and dried a great deal of it out and installed a temporary installation to maintain a dry basement while permanent repairs were underway. 

Ed Epright & Joseph Shea discussing next steps to take

Ed quoted assessed the electrical work to quote it accurately for my client as the flood impacted and compromised many electrical components on equipment and we discovered some safety items that needed attention at the same time. 

Lucky for me I could turn to Bob Nason of Dutch Oil in East Haddam, now offering complete propane services too, who quickly scheduled me late Friday evening for an early Monday AM appointment. As I expected Bob called to let me know that his guy was on the way. The burner and controls had been completely submerged so I can count on an honest assessment and quick and fair remedy. Bob is a Riverside BNI member as well. 

Bob Nason of Dutch Oil (He's all over whatever you need done...and with that smile.)

I'll let you know how it all turns out in another post real soon. You can count on it! I'll close by saying that I've never been associated in one place with so many top business men and women in such a variety of fields. I feel there isn't any problem I couldn't find a solution too for a seller or buyer of mine with a pool of talent like Riverside BNI has in it's membership.