Halloween Fun Facts!

Bright Health

RBI’s Senior Sales Coordinator: James Gramp

About the Author: With his signature common sense, quiet good humor, and brilliant customer service, Jim is an integral part of the RBI team — we’d go so far as to say we’d be lost without him! An Arizona native, Jim has been a licensed health insurance agent for 2 years, and has worked at RBI for almost 4 years. An accomplished bassoonist, he is known around the office for his amazing musical skills. In addition to keeping busy around the office, Jim frequently contributes to our blog, bringing a new agent’s perspective to the RBI online presence.

Halloween Fun Facts!

My favorite time of year is finally here, the fall! It’s a time when candy wrappers and pumpkin bits litter the streets, dentists are in high demand, and best of all, it’s finally below 100° in Phoenix! To celebrate, I present you my top 10 interesting Halloween facts!

  1. Halloween is a more Irish holiday than St. Patrick’s Day. It is a Gaelic festival that marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
  2. The first Jack-o-lanterns were made from turnips.
  3. Original trick-or-treater’s got fruit and nuts.
  4. Famous magician, Harry Houdini, died on Halloween night in 1926.
  5. In 2007 candy makers succeeded in lobbying to extend daylight savings time into the beginning of November so that kids could have an extra hour of daylight to collect candy (and for the companies to sell more candy!)
  6. Behind Christmas, Halloween is the 2nd most commercial holiday in the US.
  7. In the 1978 movie Halloween, the mask that Michael Meyers wore was a mask of William Shatner’s Star Trek character, Captain Kirk.
  8. In Hollywood, there’s a $1,000 fine for using silly string in public areas starting at 12:00am on October 31st through Noon on November 1st.
  9. The Jelly Belly Candy Company has been making Candy Corn with the same recipe since around 1900.
  10. The correct way to pronounce “Reese’s” Peanut Butter Cups is Rees-is. Reese’s were actually invented by Harry Burnett Reese; so they are quite literally Reese’s peanut butter cups (because he made them!) Thankfully there’s no wrong way to eat one!

Hopefully some of these put a smile on your face during this extremely busy time of year for Medicare brokers. Want to learn more about RB Insurance Group or maybe you have some interesting Halloween/Fall fun facts of your own! Give me a call either way, I love talking with like minded agents! 480-829-1222.

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USA Senior Care Network

Your Holly and Jolly Christmas Facts

The Holly and Jolly Christmas Facts

It just wouldn’t feel like the holidays without some random trivia!  But first, make sure you check out Events Calendar for our upcoming Webinar Wednesday training’s that will start in January!  Without further ado, here are 10 Holly and Jolly Christmas facts that you can impress your family with at the dinner table.

  1. If you were around from 1659-1681, celebrating this day in Boston would have cost you a fine of as much as five shillings! Gives me shills just thinking about it!
  2. US scientists calculated that Santa would have to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world’s presents on Christmas Eve, traveling at 650 miles a second. I’d say that’s us during AEP!
  3. Get your plate ready! Many parts of the Christmas tree can actually be eaten, with needles being a good source of Vitamin C. If you don’t feel like eating your tree, some zoos take donated trees and use them as food for the animals.
  4. In Poland spiders are considered to be symbols of prosperity and goodness at Christmas. In fact, spiders and spider webs are often used as Christmas tree decorations. According to legend, a spider wove baby Jesus a blanket to keep him warm – that’s a big NOPE from me.
  5. If you gave all the gifts listed in the Twelve Days of Christmas, it would equal 364 gifts.

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  6. NORAD’s “Santa Tracker” was born from a misprint in the newspaper. A 1955 Sears ad was supposed to print the number of a store where children could call and tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. The number printed was to the hotline of the Director of Operations for the U.S. Continental Air Defense. Colonel Shoup ordered his staff to give the children updates on the flight coordinates of Santa.
  7. Bicycle, the U.S. playing card company, manufactured cards to give all the POWS in Germany during World War II as Christmas presents. These cards, when soaked in water, revealed an escape route for POWs. The Nazis never knew.
  8. The Friday and Saturday before Christmas are the busiest shopping days and not the Black Friday.
  9. In 1914 during World War I there was a now famous Christmas truce in the trenches between the British and the Germans. They exchanged gifts across a neutral no man’s land, played football together, and decorated their shelters. (Read more about it in the book “Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce” by Stanley Weintraub.)
  10. Want to know the typical number of calories in your average Christmas dinner. I’m going to leave that one to you as we all know Christmas calories don’t count!

Can’t seem to get enough holly and jolly facts? Never fear! Click this link to read 99 Interesting Facts About Christmas.  It’s important to remember  the spirit of the Holiday season is about giving, especially to those less fortunate than yourself.  So with that in mind, we would like to wish you Merry Christmas from everyone here at RBI! 

Looking for more sales opportunities now that AEP is over?  Give RBI a call today to find out how we’re keeping busy outside of the Annual Enrollment Period! 1-800-997-3107



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Celebrate Being Irish (or at least wanting to be!)

Celebrate being Irish

St. Patrick’s Day 2017

Let’s celebrate being Irish (or at least wanting to be!)

RBI Freelance Copywriter: Heidi


St. Patrick’s Day is here! Time to polish those shoe buckles, dig out Grandma’s famous corned beef and cabbage recipe, and tint the beer green! In honor of our favorite Irish holiday, we’ve rounded up an interesting collection of 17 random facts you probably didn’t know about Saint Patrick’s Day.

About the author:

Heidi  is our RBI freelance copywriter, and we are lucky to have her! She specializes in organizational/office shortcuts and tutorials for agents. Her zany sense of humor shows through in her Fun Friday contributions and her hilarious children are favorite visitors at the RBI headquarters.

— Image by © CORBIS

Number 1: March 17th, 461 A.D. is the date Saint Patrick died. St. Patrick’s Day is the Catholic celebration of his admission to heaven. In more recent years, it has been celebrated as a cultural holiday here in the United States. People of every background celebrate by claiming Irish ancestry for the day!

Number 2: Speaking of being Irish, Saint Patrick was not. He was actually born to Roman parents living in modern-day England. More specifically, Scotland or Wales (historians are still debating!)

Number 3: Saint Patrick is credited with driving all snakes out of Ireland. As legend goes, after being attacked by snakes during a 40-day fast, an angry (or perhaps “hangry?”) Saint Patrick chased the slithering serpents into the sea, forever ridding the land of their presence. Never mind the fact that there is zero fossil evidence to prove there ever were any snakes in Ireland- the climate is just too chilly. Most scholars consider “driving out the snakes” to be metaphorical. Regardless- no snakes! We think that sounds like a great place to visit!

Number 4: Why the booze? Saint Patrick’s Day originated as a celebratory feast. In his honor, most Christian churches lift the temporary dietary restrictions imposed by Lent. For that one day, it is permissible and encouraged to gorge and imbibe. And boy, do we ever…

Number 5: It is estimated that 13 million pints of Guinness will be consumed worldwide on March 17th. Approximately $425 million is spent by patrons on alcohol each holiday… and that’s before tipping the bartender. That is a LOT of beer.

Number 6: Despite all the green, Saint Patrick had a different favorite color. Most historical illustrations from that period depict him wearing blue.

Number 7: We hate to break it to you, but your odds of finding a lucky four-leaf clover are about 1 in 10,000.


Number 8: Cabbage, too! Corned beef and cabbage, anyone? Cabbage shipments spike 70% the week before Saint Patrick’s Day. Can’t find Grandma’s recipe? Try this one!

Number 9: Leprechauns are even stranger than you realized. In traditional Irish folklore, there is no such thing as female leprechauns, only males. We’re still trying to wrap our heads around this one…

Number 10: Shamrocks are not the official symbol of Ireland. Where did they come from? Saint Patrick used clovers as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity. They also grow all over the place in Ireland, contributing to the gorgeous green countryside.

Number 11: The harp is Ireland’s official symbol. It can be found on Irish currency, the presidential flag, state seals, uniforms and government documents.

Shamrock ShakeNumber 12: Still, marketers love shamrocks. Especially McDonald’s. Each season they bring back their famous Shamrock Shake. It has a cult following, with fan-created websites and mobile apps popping up to help you locate your nearest Shamrock Shake. We’re not kidding.

Number 13: So many calories. A large, 22-ounce McDonald’s Shamrock Shake contains 820 calories. That just about makes up for all the Lent fasting, right?

Number 14: Americans are a bit fanatical about Saint Patrick’s Day. Parades, parties, pub crawls, and green rivers. Yes, that’s right… the Plumbers Local 110 Union actually dyes the Chicago River Check out this incredible time lapse video of 2017’s dye job!

Number 15: Don’t worry, it’s harmless. Although the formula of the river dye is a closely-guarded secret, the formula has been thoroughly tested by independent chemists and has been proven safe for the environment. Phew!

The Plumbers Local 110 Union actually dyes the Chicago River green for St. Paddy’s Day!

Number 16: There are over 34.7 million Americans with Irish ancestry. That is nearly seven times the population of Ireland! You guessed it, Ireland is our nation’s second highest reported nation of origin, ranking only behind Germany.

Number 17: That probably helps explain why there are 16 US towns named after Ireland’s capitol, Dublin. Can’t afford an expensive transatlantic flight? Worry not! You can visit Dublin in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia!

What a journey! Thanks for sticking with us! As always, RB Insurance Group wishes you a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Love St. Paddy’s for the parties? RBI loves parties too! If you want to join in a special party at RB Insurance Group, you should check out our RBI Agent Social! Stop by the office and meet the team or get started contracting here!

A traditional Irish Pub, we’d love to be there on St. Patrick’s Day!

Kayakers enjoying the weather on St. Paddy’s Day.

A look at the beautiful countryside in Ireland.

Saint Patrick used clovers as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity.


Daylight Saving Rebels
President's Day Trivia
Anti-Road Rage Music
4th of july
4th of july

President’s Day Trivia Quiz

James Gramp Rebecca Howard Photo

Written by James Gramp & Rebecca Howard

Sales Coordinators

When Jim and Rebecca put their heads together, great things happen!  Jim and Rebecca comprise the worker bees of the Marketing Department, and much like this collaboration on United States Presidents, they spend their days swapping fun facts and brilliant puns. Who said work had to be boring anyway?



What do you think of our list?  

Did we miss any President’s Day trivia that you know?

Let us know and we’ll add it to our list.

President’s Day Trivia Quiz

How well do YOU know your history?



From plantation owners to pecan farmers, from frontiersmen to Hollywood, our Presidents hail from all walks of life! This past Monday we celebrated President’s Day and we at RBI have been learning about Presidents all week. How well do you know your Presidents?  Test your knowledge with our President’s Day Trivia Quiz!  Match the President with the facts, or the facts with the President and see how you do!

Music Man:

Which President aspired to be a concert violinist, and often entertained guests at the White House with his performances at parties?

Answer: John Tyler.  Fun Fact: after the death of his first wife, Tyler remarried. He was the first President to marry while in office and he fathered a total of 15 children. Read more about John Tyler here.

A Toothy Problem:

Which President was famous for dental issues, but never had wooden dentures?

Answer: George Washington, of course! George Washington is legendary for many Americans, but according to the folks at Mount Vernon (now a museum), George never had wooden teeth. Instead, his dentures were made of gold, ivory, lead, and animal teeth. Read more about George’s teeth here.

Speed Demon:President's Day Trivia

Which President likes to go fast, and has actually been cited for speeding multiple times?

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant.  While many remember Grant for his role in the Civil War, Grant is often remembered in DC lore as a speed demon!  He is said to have received multiple citations and even speeding tickets.  Read more here and here.

A Shocking Development:

What President was the sitting president when electricity was installed in the White House?

Answer: Benjamin Harrison! In 1891, the White House went electric! At the time, this was such a new development that not many people understood how it worked.  In fact, President Harrison was so afraid of being electrocuted that he refused to touch the light switches. Read more here.

Fun-sized President:

What President was the smallest to date?

Answer: James Madison, though known for his part in framing the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and his many contribution to The Federalist Papers, was the smallest US President, weighing in at 122 lbs, and just 5′ 3″ tall!  Read about him here.

Give me a 4! Give me a 3! 

What President was a Cheerleader in his youth?

Answer: George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, was a cheerleader during his school years. Read more (and see photos!) here.

Polly wants a ****:

Which President of the United States famously taught his pet parrot how to swear?

Answer: Andrew Jackson. Jackson, a President known to cause controversy with his policies during his tenure in office, caused uproar even at his funeral when his pet parrot started swearing. Read more here.

P-P-P-Pokerface:

What President was an avid poker player, and even bet the White House china collection?

Answer: Warren G. Harding was known for his games of chance, and yes, even bet –and lost– the White House china collection in a card game. Read more about Harding here.

So call me maybe:

Which President used the telephone first as an election vehicle?

Answer: William McKinley.  In 1896, the telephone was still a brand new technology, and McKinley’s campaign used it to keep in touch from New York to Ohio to Chicago.  Read more here.

Campaign Financed:

Which President funded his first political campaign with poker winnings?

Answer: Richard Nixon. Nixon is best known for Watergate, but before he entered politics, he won about $6,000 from playing poker as an officer in the Navy.  He later used his winnings to fund his first congressional campaign. Read more here and here.

At RBI, we keep our agents up-to-date on all the important stuff, like our great Fun Friday updates! You can get contracted by clicking here to see our carriers or call us at 1-800-997-3107 to speak to one of our sales team!  Want to get in on the blog newsletter? Click here to subscribe and you’ll never miss an update again!


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Holiday Traditions at RB Insurance Group

Here are a few of our favorite Holiday Traditions at RBI!

We hope you’re enjoying your favorites right now too!

Snowflake

“Skiing.” –Justin, Director of Marketing

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“Food. Definitely all the food.” –Steven, Production Manager

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“Driving around with my family and looking at Christmas lights.” –Marielle, Operations Manager

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“I would have to say that it’s opening one present each on Christmas Eve.” –Charlie, National Sales Manager

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“I love our family dinner, all my extended family gets together, aunts, uncles, cousins.

We usually have ham and pineapple with scalloped potatoes and enjoy each other’s company.  –Jim, Sales Coordinator

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“When we put up our tree, we don’t put any presents under it right away. Then when the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve,  we put out all the gifts at once,

so on Christmas morning they get really excited!” –Julie, Commission Analyst

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“One of my favorite parts of the holidays is all the food. One year my mom, sister, and I baked tons of cookies, candies and tamales, and mailed boxes out to all our relatives. It’s still one of my favorite memories.” –Shannon, Graphics Designer

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“My favorite thing to do around the holidays is to get some hot chocolate, curl up on the couch, and watch old holiday movies with my family. We usually watch everything from It’s a Wonderful Life, to the Santa Clause, to the old animated classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” –Rebecca, Sales Coordinator

Welcome to RBI

From our family to yours, best wishes for a wonderful and happy holiday season!

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5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Independence Day is one of our favorite holidays here at RB Insurance Group. Celebrating our great country with family, friends, a smorgasbord of barbecued food, and fireworks- what more could you ask for? In honor of the holiday weekend, we rounded up a collection of five things you probably didn’t know about the 4th of July.

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  1. Although it had been celebrated prior, the 4th of July did not become a federally recognized national holiday until 1870, nearly a hundred years after the Declaration of Independence was written. It became a paid holiday for federal employees in 1938. Source

Adams-Jefferson

  1. A crazy coincidence: both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4th, 1826, exactly 50 years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Source

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  1. Many of the key participants in the American Revolution were quite young in 1776. You would never know it based on the impressions we’re given by popular works of art, but despite the powdered white hair and mature features, Thomas Jefferson was 33, James Madison was 25, and James Monroe was only 18 years old! Source

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  1. In 1776, approximately 2.5 million people were living in the United States. As of 2014, the U.S. Census estimates that number has grown to over 318.9 million people. Source

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  1. Hot Diggety Dog, July is National Hot Dog Month! According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, that’s really a thing!), July 4th is the largest hotdog holiday of the year. In just one single day, Americans typically consume over 150 million hotdogs. That’s enough to stretch from Washington DC to Los Angeles more than FIVE TIMES! Source

Happy 4th of July, now go forth and impress your friends and family with your expert knowledge of 4th of July trivia… while enjoying a hot dog, of course!

 


Once you’re done celebrating…

Don’t forget to save $50 on your 2017 AHIP Certification!

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