August Newsletter

Thoughts from the Nest

GRATEFUL

I was walking through the airport the other day and I saw a young guy, mid twenties I suspect, walking in front of me. Clearly in good shape with a well groomed haircut, I am guessing a military man of some sort. As I and the rest of the passengers walked off to their respective planes eager to get to their next destinations, he stood out to me for some reason. He was wearing a t-shirt that read:

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."

The quote is attributed to Ronald Reagan. I was immediately struck with a sense of gratitude for the privilege to live in this country and for the men and women who serve.

For months, it seems like in every article I mention the doom and gloom out in the world today, but yet fail to mention all the opportunity that this great nation affords us. I don't slow down nearly enough to contemplate the truly awe inspiring sacrifices that went into not only creating, but maintaining our country and freedoms. I am humbled by the privilege to live and raise my family here.

I love history and have dragged my family around the country to places like Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York to see firsthand the staggering time line of events that created the United States of America. I try to teach my kids how important it is to recognize the value in what we have as citizens. Mostly I imagine my kids are thinking that it's just another thing dad wants to see" or "really dad... do you have to read everything?" But I hold out hope that one day they will truly appreciate their country and not take it for granted.

This was no more evident to me as when recently our family left from a visit to see my wife's great Grandpa. At almost 90 years old he is a tremendous example of the greatest generation. He served in WWII on two continents and received two purple hearts; he never speaks about it, but will answer questions if you ask. He doesn't consider himself special, but figures that it was the right thing to do.I love that about those guys. I think he knows that he made a difference. I certainly know he did. I am grateful for his sacrifice and hope that I don't have to wonder someday if I made a difference.

And even though times are not what we all would like them to be, it is important for me to stay grounded and understand what I truly have. I have had the opportunity to travel and see other places both in this country and abroad. I am constantly reminded how lucky we are to be in the U.S.A., but day-to-day life gets in the way and you forget what a blessing it is to live here. The great fortune we enjoy to make our own way and raise our families and teach them as we see fit. We have the opportunity to start a business and succeed or fail, by the sweat of our own hands, and to enjoy the rewards. An opportunity I am grateful and thankful for living in this blessed country.

Tracy Day, President

NAPSA Webinar

Tips and Tools for Estimating a Profitable Parking Lot Contract September 1, 2010 - 5:00 PM Eastern Objective To provide individuals/organizations involved with parking lot sweeping with tips and tools on how to estimate a contract while making a profit. What You Can Expect To Learn: Myths about estimating Mistakes often made when submitting a sweeping estimate The differences between estimates and bids, as well as pros and cons of both How to develop a strategy The impact that frequency has on an estimate Where do additional services fit in? Tools you can use How to estimate Examples of the estimate process Intended Audience All individuals and companies within the sweeping industry are encouraged to attend this webinar. Whether you are a new company starting out or if you are a second or third generation owner, everyone will gain something from this educational session. For more information and registration please visit the NAPSA website at https://www.powersweeping.org/index.cfm/webinar_registration/?CFID=6957280&CFTOKEN=73541976.

Maintenance Minute - Skid/Flap Adjustment

A simple way to keep your Nite-Hawk performing at its peak is to regularly inspect and adjust your pick-up head, flaps, and skids. This inspection should be part of your daily procedure with a focus on the skid, alignment, pick-up head, and length of the rear flap. Step 1: The skid (NH # PU-1601) and skid plate (NH # PU-0211) should be parallel to the top of the pick-up head. If the skid plate is out of adjustment, use a ¾ wrench to loosen the skid plate bolts and bring the skid plate back to parallel. Step 2: Next, inspect the skid for wear and damage. The skid should be a minimum of ¼" think in all areas, with no signs of cracking or fatigue. All the skid bolts should be tight and unbroken. Step 3: After inspecting the skid plates and skids, sight down the rear of the pick-up head for damage and alignment. Step 4: To check for flap wear, measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the rear flap. This distance should be no more than 1/4". If an adjustment is needed, remove a skid spacer using a ¾" wrench. If the rear flap is uneven, remove enough skid spacers to eliminate all gaps. Over time, the flaps will wear and this process can be repeated. The flaps (NH # PU-1900) should be replaced when all skid spacers (NH # PU-1602) have been removed and the rear flap shows a gap of ¼". By following these simple procedures you can maximize the performance of your Nite-Hawk and extend the life of your pick-up head. For parts and service you can visit us on the web at parts.nitehawksweepers.com or call us at 800.448.9364.