Joy DeKok - DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

Apple Blossom Time

May 7, 2012 By Jon DeKok

Joy here. Apple blossom time is almost past. After the storms this weekend, the yard, under the trees, looked like it had snowed.

When Jon and I moved into this home five years ago, we had no idea what we were going to do with the apple crop from at least 20 trees. Jon did some research and decided two things:

He was going to care for the trees organically.
He was going to buy an old-fashioned apple press and make juice.

While talking to his mom about protecting the fruit from bugs, she remembered a recipe she’d heard on a radio show years ago. It works! We can pick apples and eat them immediately – after wiping the dust off on our pants. The kids we love can often be seen with an apple in each hand – they love them.

Here’s the recipe:

In a one-gallon milk jug combine: 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 banana peel, and then fill it half-way to the top with water.

Hang it by the handle in the tree. If the tree produces very sweet apples, hang two jugs.

Over time, the water evaporates. Just add water to the gunk in the jug.

We also use Apple Maggot-fly Traps. They are available at many local plant and tree nurseries and online at many places, including here: http://eartheasy.com/non-toxic-pest-control/outdoor/non-toxic-apple-maggot-traps

When the apples are ripe, Jon picks from several trees, cleans them, and presses them. We purchased our press here:http://www.happyvalleyranch.com/.

After straining the juice through a cloth, he puts the juice in a clean water jug (1-gallon), at least 1 inch from the top, and freezes it.

When we’re ready to drink it, we simply thaw the juice. That’s it. We like it best in it’s slushy form. It’s also delicious warmed up with cinnamon. Once it’s past the slushy stage, I love it over crushed ice too. Jon prefers it cold without ice. Each batch is slightly different because of the mix of apples.

The juice can also be turned into the best apple jelly I’ve ever tasted.

Apple blossom time at our house is beautiful, smells great, and holds the promise of fresh apple juice all year long.

Joy

[tweetthis]Apple Blossom Time #Apples #AppleJuice #OrganicApples[/tweetthis]

If you have any questions regarding your insurance or insurance in Minnesota, please call Jon at 507-226-8121.

Choosing the Right Agent

March 2, 2012 By Jon DeKok

Hello everyone – Joy here.

I’ll tell you right away – this post is full of prejudice and favoritism.

Over the years, I’ve met a lot of insurance agents – really good men and women who work for good companies and serve their clients well. So, I can tell you this with a certain degree of experience: The best insurance agent I’ve ever met is Jon DeKok.

A client and I were talking the other day, and she said that she choose to insure with DeKok Insurance Group in part because Jon provided her with better coverage at a much better price, but also because she trusts him. Working with Jon on and off over the years, I’ve watched him in situations where other might compromise, but he acted with integrity every time.

Another client told me a couple of weeks ago that he insured with us because he wasn’t just buying insurance – he was choosing an agent.

A few weeks ago, another client, who didn’t save a ton of money, but who did get way better coverage said he choose to insure here because of Jon.

Getting excellent policies for less money is a good deal. Choosing the right agent turns that good deal into a great one.

You can trust Jon DeKok. I know this from personal and professional experience. He’s one of the good guys and in my opinion, the best insurance agent you’ll ever have.

One client sent Jon and email that said, “You rock!” He’s right – Jon does.

I didn’t ask Jon if I could write this blog – he’s out of the office today because it’s his birthday. He trusts me to take care of things on days like this, so I am.

Happy birthday, Jon – I’m so proud of you as a business man and thankful for the privilege of being your wife!

Joy

[tweetthis]Choosing the right agent. #MNInsurance #IndependentAgent[/tweetthis]

This blog belongs to Jon DeKok, Independent Insurance Agent

DeKok Insurance Group, Better coverage. Better Prices.

Specializing in Home, Auto, Umbrella, Commercial Property, Business, and Life insurance in the state of MN.

Women Drivers

January 31, 2012 By Jon DeKok

Hello – Joy here.

Since I started driving in 1973, I have heard women drivers are by far the worst on the road. While I’m not a feminist, this has always bothered me. So, to find answers, I did some research.

Here are some interesting facts:

Women are involved in HALF as many accidents as men.
The majority of accidents involving women happen at lower speeds and
result in less property damage or bodily injury.
Women drivers pass the written and practical driving exams the first
time more often than men.

There have been a few statistical changes in the past few years as women spend more time behind the wheel.

Younger women are found to be more aggressive drivers than in the past and there’s an increase in speeding violations, but they are still less than their male counterparts. Young mothers in mini-vans are far more easily distracted by their passengers and there’s an increase in minor violations. Business women and women driving SUVs show an increased tendency to tailgate and speed.

Even with these increases, women are still considered safer drivers than men, and their insurance is less expensive.

While the gap between male and female drivers is closing, women have never been or are they now the worst drivers.

I admit, I really enjoyed writing that last sentence.

Two True Stories:

I was riding in a car driven by a guy (NOT my husband), and a car cut us off and was driving badly. He smacked the steering wheel and said, “That’s got to be a woman driver. Let’s get her license plate number.” At the next red light, we caught up with the car, and his eyebrows rose when we both looked at the driver: a man about the same age as the driver in the car with me. Suddenly reporting the erratic driving wasn’t important.

This morning on the way to the office to write this blog post, I noticed a Pontiac that was all over Hwy 52. The driver was crossing lines and speeding – I was going just over 65 MPH,, and this car zoomed past me. I noticed she was looking intently into her review mirror and I assumed she was watching out for law enforcement. I was wrong. A couple of minutes later, we took the same exit and traffic plus a red light forced the driver to slow down. I watched the driver (a young woman) applying mascara and fussing with her bangs, while she talked into the blue tooth device sticking out of her ear. She nearly poked her eye out when the light turned green.

So there you have it – the facts and a bit of “fair & balanced” reporting.

Joy

Joy DeKok, Marketing Assistant to Jon DeKok

Independent Agent for DeKok Insurance Group

Better coverage at better prices.

P. S. There are many resources like this one on the Internet, but I’ll share just one recent study about men and women drivers done by MSN in 2011.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=788126

[tweetthis]Women Drivers #MNInsurance #IndependentAgent #Insurance[/tweetthis]

Dad DeKok,Me, & John Deere

September 22, 2011 By Jon DeKok

Hello – Joy here.

I was born and raised a city girl. Cows scared me terribly – they are such big animals. All farm machinery made me nervous.

The summer after Jon and I were married, his dad needed someone to drive his John Deere tractor when it was time to bale hay. Brave man that he was, he asked me. I was pretty nervous, but Dad was confident I could master his fairly new and very comfy machine. The cab had air conditioning and AM/FM stereo radio, honestly, what more could a girl want on a hot and dusty summer day?

Dad taught me how to follow the cut hay and turn the corners. I watched as the hay disappeared only to reappear as rectangular bales. Looking at the field I thought, “This is going to take all day. I’ll just speed it up a little.” Following Dad’s instructions, I kept my eyes on the rows of green alfapha. That tractor could move and soon we were making excellent time. Suddenly I noticed Dad’s arms waving at me and then he gave me the thumbs down. He was seriously sweating and a bit red in the face. I slowed down, when I saw him wave at me to stop. He hopped off the wagon and into the cool cab for a few moments. He used his shirt sleeve to wipe his face the said, “Joy, you’re doing a good job, but we need to go a little slower so I can keep up.”

He left the cab with those kind words. Back on the wagon, he gave me the thumbs up and I moved ahead, keeping a careful eye on where I needed to go and the man behind me.

When we finished with the field, the wagon was neatly piled high with bales. Dad directed me to pull up to a conveyor of sorts (I’m sure there’s an official name for it, but I have not idea what that is.) and then he unloaded the bales alone. I didn’t know it at the time, but those golden rectangles weighed about 100lbs each.

At the supper table, he prayed before the meal and thanked God for me and my help. As we filled our plates he asked me if I could come back and drive again the next day. I knew I’d sort of messed up, but the man needed a driver and assured me I’d do a much better job on day two. I did.

Another year, when he was injured, I drove that tractor again. I plowed, disked, and raked his land. (I am not sure that is the right order.) Dad did the planting, but I’d prepped those rich fields for him. I watched his crops grow with a little bit more interest that year – not a lot, but some.

Several years later, when we moved to where we live now, Jon bought a Gator so we could explore our thirty-five acres of land easily. I was so proud to show Dad our John Deere. He said wearing his signature grin, “I remember the first time you drove a John Deere.” I said, “Me too. Thanks for your patience.” He put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze then said, “Thanks again for your help.”

I sure do enjoy our John Deere and I miss the man who introduced me to them.

As Jon’s assistant here at DeKok Insurance Group I get an up close and personal view of the way he serves his current and potential clients. I see his integrity and think, like father, like son. I know. I’ve worked for and with them both.

Joy