Carol Williams and Kathy Streib have invited us to answer 21 questions below to tell about ourselves. After some thought here are my answers. 1. What was your first job and what did you learn from it?My first job other than newspaper carrier was as a janitor (sexton) for the church we attended. The sexton just quit because of construction going on. I grabbed it and learned the floor machine. Later, while still in high school I put an ad in the paper and got a job after school doing floors in an office building.2. How long have you been in the real estate or related service industry? Working with agents started when Keller Williams agents offered to have me sponsor their training breakfast and talk about my service. That was in 2009.3. What is your biggest fear and what have you done to ... 05/10/2022

The northeast part of the country got a big snow storm on Saturday.  It was also very cold and windy. I almost got frost bite using the snow blower in the driveway as the wind was blowing the snow back in my face.  I am too old for this.  This was the week to have been in Florida.Snow is for the kid and I remember looking forward to a snow storm for snowball and sledding not to mention closed school.Our grandson Max in the top picture is discovering snow.  He did not want to wear gloves until he realized the snow hurt his hands.He also likes to help his father shovel the snow.And then he gets rewarded with a ride on the sled.I am glad he is enjoying the snow.  In two weeks we are back in sunny Florida.  02/01/2022

This is going to be a very interesting challenge for me.  And to frame things I need to step back to personal computing. I started with Sears in 1971 and by 1977, I was personnel manager of a large store in White Plains, NY.  One of my responsibilities was to create a payroll cost projection each month for the store operations executive who was responsible for send the profit flash up the line.  I would have to go through a book that has the personnel of every department and update it each month with terminations, new hires, and wage changes, also projecting the part time hours that would be used and so forth.  Everyone in my position in every store dreaded this.  With calculators and tapes, it took up to three days a month which I was able to cut to two.Fast forward to a different comp... 01/18/2022

All of the Christmas decorations are lit up here in Armonk NY.The top picture is the the focal point of our town.  This is the town park and it has been lit up since Frosty the Snow Man Day which was the Sunday after Thanksgiving.Some homeowners go to great lengths to  celebrate the Christmas season in lights like this house below.Or this house below.This time next week most of the colorful decorations will be put away until next year.  The winter months of January and February will begin.New Years Day we will be flying to Florida for a few weeks.  Maybe if we are lucky we will catch this display on New Years Day.Happy New Year!   12/28/2021

I thought long and hard about a miracle at Christmas time.  This about a fulfillment of a dream the Phyllis and I had for a long time and it happened just before Christmas 1988.  How appropriate this is too for a real estate blog!Ever since we were married in 1978 and had our first daughter in 1979 our house always seemed to be one size too small.  We went from a midrise luxury condo that I had just before we were married.  Then we moved to a nice townhouse with just enough room until our second daughter was born in 1987.We had dreamed of a beautiful big colonial and in 1988 the opportunity presented itself when we met a custom builder that would build the house and that house would be in Armonk which is an excellent town with a top rated school district.  Not just a dream house but a d... 12/07/2021

This past Sunday was Frosty Day in Armonk New York.  For the past 12 years this has been celebrated although last year was substantially toned down due to Covid.As I have mentioned in previous years' posts Frosty has a history in Armonk.  The composer of the song lived in Westchester and was inspired to write the song in Armonk.The festivities began at noon and lasted well past 5pm with some warm treats at the restaurants in town.We planned to attend this year with our grandson Max.  Unfortunately Max had a cold.  Look forward to next year when he will get more out of it.If you are looking to make your Westchester NY or Fairfield CT business thrive please contact me. Grant SchneiderPerformance Development Strategies914-953-4458 11/30/2021

I have enjoyed reading many of the gratitude posts this week.  I did not have time to participate but I want to add my comments.Like many in Active Rain we have friends and we care for each other.  Phyllis and I were in our house in Florida but arranged to be back in Armonk because one of our friends who moved away would be in town.Karenne and Richard Koo have been friends with all of us since our daughters were in 2nd grade.  Karenne and Richard moved to Tucson AZ about four years ago but returned to have Thanksgiving with their daughter who is in Washington DC.Having friends is very important and we support each other.  We are grateful to have our friends and so happy that we are able to share joys together.  Karenne (seated far right) and Richard (taking the picture) have announced t... 11/23/2021

Today was an off year election.  I think that everywhere in the country there are elections.  It is unfortunate that many people don't take the time to vote in these elections.  I am not one who shares my political views but Phyllis and I always make our voice heard on election day.Many of the issues that affect everyday life occur at the local level.  Today we are electing a Town Supervisor, a town board, local judge, a county executive, and county legislators.These are people we know and we see every day.  We can ask them questions and voice our opinions.  The Town Supervisor is a part time position.  Our supervisor, Mike Schilero is also a banker and a fellow member of the Business Council of Westchester.  We have both gone to Albany Day with the Business Council. Good government wor... 11/02/2021

Smith’s Tavern is a historical landmark in Armonk within the town of North Castle New York.  This beautiful site reminds us of the town’s early history.  It is included in the learning curriculum of 4th grades in the Byram Hills Schools.Smith’s Tavern is a landmark and is also the home of the North Castle Historical Society and is located at 440 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY. The North Castle Historical Society is chartered by The Regents of The University of The State of New York and is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic sites, education of our community and remembering local traditions.  The organization is totally supported by volunteer workers and contributors. This support is vital in keeping our North Castle History alive.  There is also no governme... 10/25/2021

This is the second in a series of posts of the Westchester County Area.  We are focusing here on recreational activities.  Some like last weeks post on The Performing Art Center at Purchase has been curtailed by the Covid restrictions.  But the outdoor parks, for the most part, are open.The County of Westchester has 12 parks spread throughout the county. Westchester's parks offer some of the most beautiful scenery you will find anywhere.  We have hills including the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains and plenty of water from Hudson River to Long Island Sound and in between the magnificent waterways and dams that supply New York City with water.  From the Sound Shore to the Hudson, from Yonkers to Yorktown, visitors can enjoy Westchester County parks in every season. Some have miles of... 04/20/2021

Those living in Westchester County and especially Armonk, NY have a real gem right at their doorsteps. It is a world famous college with a performing arts center.  Purchase College is part of the SUNY (State University of New York) system.  The tuition is low for in state students.  However, if you apply for the performing arts program majors you face some very stiff competition.World famous performers, editors, producers, and film makers have graduated from Purchase College.  I remember taking my older daughter to colleges and she was interested in theater arts.  We took a tour and the dean of the school spoke to us.  He said that this is a studio school.  If you are majoring in film editing you will be in the dark for 4 years.  Needless to say, it takes commitment to graduate.What doe... 04/13/2021

This is the third of my posts from Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker and Carol Williams December holiday challenge. I am reflecting on the different Christmas traditions of Phyllis' family and my family.  I grew up in Bucks County Pennsylvania northeast of Philadelphia, German Lutheran.  My wife grew up in Mt. Vernon NY, Italian Catholic.Christmas Eve for the Schneders included having some friends stop by or going out, attending 11pm candlelight service and then going over to someones home afterward.  No Gifts.  That was for Christmas morning.  We would spend the day at home and have my aunt, uncle, and cousins for Chistmas Dinner.  Although I can't find a photo from those times here is one from 26 years ago.One thing I loved when I married Phyllis was family, family, family.... 12/15/2020

It is now the height of fall here in Armonk New York.  This is a shot from our front yard.The green leaves are still on the Canadian Maple tree but the bright yellow leaves are now covering the lawn.  Our area always has bright fall colors.Fall is a very colorful time of year.  Soon the trees will be bare.  10/27/2020

This is my third post for the October challenge hosted by Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS, Broker, Instructor and Carol Williams .  My first post related to what I was doing professionally in my personal business because of the pandemic.  Then my second post was about changes I had made in my personal life.  But in my business, I am the catalyst that helps others change.  This post highlights some ways I have helped my clients deal with change brought on by this pandemic.Just like the reactions I have read on Active Rain there are three sets of reactions in play. First of all, I have to meet people where they are.  There is always an initial loss of productivity but when change is managed properly then the new outcomes will be better than what the outcomes were before the change.  You may... 10/20/2020

What would 4th of July have been without our annual backyard BBQ with friends?  This year presented a challenge.  We usually host at our house but we were concerned about being able to social distance.Our deck is long but narrow and the lawn behind it drops off into the woods.  There are 4 couples and we came up with a solution.  We would hold it this year at another couple's house.  Their house has a large back yard and we would have things that were packaged rather than sharing lots of food.Voila!So we celebrated but we improvised this year.  Whatever it takes!  How was your Independence Day celebration?  07/07/2020

I have been on a new Zoom Tuesday but it is not on Active Rain.  We have a great Italian Restaurant near us in Armonk.  During the shutdown in addition to delivery the owner Chef Christian Petroni starting cooking demos.  By the way, Christian is also a winner in 2018 of Food Network Star.Here is what happens.  Every Sunday we get an email like this one:This is the first one for me.  It was a rather simple one but delicious and we have enough left over for tomorrow.  I will be looking again on Sunday.With all the recipes we have on Active Rain maybe someone will think of doing a Zoom cooking demo.  06/30/2020

I needed to go out today to get a prescription filled.  After I left the pharmacy I went around the corner to our local Decicco's Supermarket.  It is a great local store with top quality fresh meat, poultry, fish, and produce.  Oh and I can usually jump in get what I need and jump out. Not TodayAs you can see there is a social distance line 6 feet apart.  When someone came out of the store someone else went in.  It look a little while but once inside I stocked up.  Now we are set for awhile.  04/21/2020

This post has been inspired by three of our friends in Active Rain.  First, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 commented on my post that it would be great to share my uses for Zoom in our businesses (and personal life, for that matter).  I thought that was a great idea and planned to do it.Today I read a great post by Ron and Alexandra Seigel  Marketing Savvy: The Importance of Marketing Perspective! The take away - Be kind, caring, and compassionate.  Give freely to help others in this time of need rather than taking advantage.  They linked to another post by Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD   And now for some good news...I want to do my part, give back and present good uses and information that will improve your business and even your personal life.  Why Zoom?  Let me show yo... 04/01/2020

I have a choice of writing about one of two communities for this contest. I love them both.  However, I have much more to write about our home for 32 years - Armonk, NY  10504, in the Town of North Castle.We were attracted to this community for the same reason many are attracted today.  Armonk is a jewel in Westchester County NY.  It is a desired location along with Chappaqua, Scarsdale, and Bronxville.  These are all fine communities with top rated schools but Armonk has a great advantage to buyers over the other communities.  Years ago Armonk attracted corporations to the town most notably the world headquarters of IBM.  Companies like IBM, Swiss Re and others are clean responsible corporate citizens who ease the the property tax burden.The taxes per assessed value are the lowest of t... 03/25/2020

I have been blogging on Active Rain since 2011.  Today, I want to show my gratitude today to the Active Rain community.  I was encouraged to join by Debbie Gartner .   Although I was not in the Real Estate business she told me about this great thing called blogging.  As a coach consultant she knew I wanted to connect with lots of people and she had attended some of my seminars which I had presented at office suites.  So I first put my toe in the water, then a little more, and then a year or so later I was all in.I learned that blogging good information similar to that in my seminars created great engagement.  Within a year and a half of joining I had my entire website redone and committed to blogging every week.  I have been doing that consistently.  What I learned from Active Rain was ... 12/17/2019