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Why is winter called “an Old Man”? Is it because he sometimes forgets to show up? Or more realistically, because he is so busy tuning everyone out that he never hears his curtain call?

When was the last time we had such a meager winter season? Rob’s rule of winter is if it's going to be cold, then at least let it snow so I can play. Last year at this time we were hitting the mountain for cross-country skiing on Fridays before work. This year the mountain is starkly void of snow. I’m no global-warming theorist, but seriously – what is going on?

Some people are wired to adapt. If I could easily adapt to change, I would find another way to exercise outside. Several people in our office have figured this out. Tuscano folks will be out in force at the Pittsburgh Marathon this May. We have registered 2 teams in the relay event and Jinny said she’ll run the full marathon alongside them – she’s just that kind of gal! Go, go Tuscano!

Winter is for skiing and sledding, spring is for baseball (go Pirates) and flowers, summertime is for riding your motorcycle (insured with Tuscano of course), and fall is for raking leaves. The 'World According to Rob' would fall very neatly into predictable packages, but I know that is only the movie version of life. I am certain it is a good thing that life and Mother Nature throw us curve balls, otherwise we’d never learn to hit anything but underhand pitches!

This market is certainly testing our adaptability! I hear and see people predicting the end of the soft market. I wish it were true. Since I can’t count on the probability of a hardening market any more than I can that it will snow (even though it is February), we are going to stay on course and build our business by building relationships and listening to our customers. I know that we’ll hit some bumps – the market has a funny way of doing unexpected things. But, we are well-trained and committed to our team and we have learned how to hit those curve balls – right out of the park!

The Property and Package team wanted me to mention that we have some very ‘hot’ markets right now for liquor liability - most notably for social and fraternal clubs (you know, the place where Old Man Winter hangs out). Even with 90% liquor receipts, we are coming in at three-quarters or half of the competitions' quotes. Call us whether you have a college bar, bowling alley, or nightclub – we can help you round out the package with the liquor or even place the whole package. We love to write your hospitality risks.

Don’t forget that Tuscano loves to write your Personal Lines habitational business as well. No, we are not going to compete with your standard in-house homeowner market or the local mutual. But when you have a risk in PC 9, with animals that have sharp teeth, or an owner who forgets to pay all of their bills, give us a call. We’ll be happy to write your dwelling and homeowner business.

We are off to a great start!