[Rearview]

[Book Review] The Five People You Meet In Heaven

At its core pest control is a service industry. In many respects, pest management professionals have to be as good at building relationships with customers as they are at delivering skilled technical services.

Whether while at work or in their personal lives, pest management professionals are constantly on the go. With so many activities to preoccupy their time it becomes easy to lose sight of the relationships that have shaped them professionally and personally.

In "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," author Mitch Albom tells the story of Eddie, an elderly gentleman who has passed away and, while journeying through heaven, encounters five pivotal figures in his life. Each person’s life (and death) was woven into Eddie’s own in ways he never suspected. Through these five individuals Eddie gains a greater understanding of the meaning of his life.

One of the book’s central themes, that it is important to always be cognizant of our actions and reactions to others on a daily basis, resonated with John Fisher, sales representative, Best Exterminating, Myrtle Beach, S.C. "The very small things — like a smile or a word of encouragement — can have a life-long effect on a person," he says.

It’s a reminder that is important on many levels to Fisher.

"You always need to take the high road when dealing with other people," Fisher says. "I think this book carries over to other facets of your life, be it your service to others, your interaction with customers, as well as your private life."

Enter your name online for a chance to win a FREE copy of "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" at www.pctonline.com/Marchbook. To purchase this book or other books from PCT magazine, visit us online at www.pctonline.com/store or call Megan Erickson at 800/456-0707.

Houston PCO Helping Train Iraqi Olympic Boxers

Maurice "Termite" Watkins, a PCO from Champions Exterminating, Houston, who is providing pest control services for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq, is helping train the Iraqi Olympic Boxing Team.

Watkins has been stationed in Iraq since January 2003, where he has been using his skills as a pest management professional to safeguard U.S. troops from the region’s various pest threats.

When word spread of efforts to revive the Iraqi Olympic Boxing Team, Watkins jumped at the chance to become involved, according to his mother, Wanda Watkins.

"He’s had a love for boxing all of his life and he saw there was a need for it in Iraq," Wanda Watkins told PCT. "He saw there was a need to keep the young men off the streets and out of gangs."

Watkins brings impressive boxing credentials to the job. In 1980, he fought for the WBC 140-pound title on the undercard of the Muhammad Ali-Larry Holmes bout.

Maurice Watkins’ brother, B.J. Watkins, a 25-year pest management professional at Champions Exterminating, also is providing pest control services in Iraq. Maurice, B.J. and father, Bill Watkins, operate the 49-year-old Champions Exterminating.

Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, the former Iraqi leader’s late son, Uday, was well known for torturing and jailing athletes who failed to do well in competitions. Boxers also complained he cared only about soccer, leaving few resources for other sports.

Using seized funds from Saddam Hussein’s former regime, the U.S.-led occupation authority has provided equipment and salaries to the boxing team, which has a two-ring training camp.

Iraqi boxers are on their way toward their first Olympic appearance since 1988, bringing with them new supplies, high expectations and bolstered spirits. Iraq’s 24-member team visited Karbala on Dec. 2 for a competition with local boxers, who tried unsuccessfully to displace fighters on the national team.

Coach Abdul-Zahara Jawad said his boxers, despite minimal time to train for Olympic qualifiers, are determined to make it to the Summer Games, Aug. 13-29.

"With God’s will and with the help of the Americans, we will achieve good results and raise the Iraqi flag in Athens,’’ he said.

Additional information for this article came from ESPN.com.

Arrow Exterminators snares giant pink snail

With 40 of its employees on the job as balloon handlers, Atlanta’s Arrow Exterminators successfully navigated a 100-foot long helium-filled snail down Peachtree Street in the 23rd Annual Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Christmas Parade. "This is our fifth year as a contributing sponsor and our employee-volunteers get a real kick out of being in the parade," said Joe Thomas, Arrow Exterminators CEO. "It’s a wonderful cause and a great way to catch the spirit of the season."

The parade is the kickoff for The Festival of Trees, Atlanta’s premier holiday charitable event. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta enhances the lives of children through patient care, research and education and it is one of the country’s largest pediatric healthcare systems.

Arrow Exterminators Inc. has 47 offices in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, Texas and Nevada.