Happy New Year! Every year we all make our own New Year Resolutions to try and better ourselves from the previous year. Most of these resolutions aren't kept, simply because of being busy and falling back into routines.

This year, challenge not only yourself, but your family to make a few little changes that will bring you closer together.




1. Sit Down to Dinner

Life is crazy, especially in today's world. All too often we forget that spending even just 45 minutes with our family can do wonders for relieving the stress of the day. Take the time to have family dinners throughout the week; if you're too busy for everynight, start with two or three days per week. You will see the difference in your family's communication and overall mood around each other!


2. Say "NO" to Technology Once a Week

We all use FaceBook and other social networks to keep up with our loved ones both near and far, but this isn't as good as the real thing. Take time to enjoy your family outside of technology. Plan a day where everyone turns off their phone, MP3 players, e-readers, laptops, and anything else with an "On/Off" switch. Use this time to spend together outdoors, playing board games, going to the park...ANYTHING! Just make sure no one sneaks their toy into the mix!


3. Read More

Studies show that children who are read to and read with their families are more attentive, intelligent, and creative. In addition, this is a great way to bond with your family and create lasting memories together.


4. Eat Healthier

This is a resolution we all should make for ourselves, but it's always easier to keep when you have support. Make it a point to consciously eat healthier for not only yourself, but your family. Tie this resolution into eating more family dinners together - let someone select the healthy meal of choice and take turns to include everyone. Or, have each family member pick a healthy side they would like - see, eating right can be fun!


5. Make More Memories

This may be the single most important resolution of them all. Commit yourself to creating more memories with your family and friends alike. Capture life's precious moments and relive them over and over again. Creating a family legacy is important and knowing where we came from is key to our identity as individuals and as families.


Start the year by challenging yourself and your family to a couple of these resolutions and create a healthier routine. 

All the best in 2013 from everyone at APM Studio!

Written by: BrieJanice

APM Studio transfers your home movies, videotapes, old film reels, photos, and slides to digital and DVD. As a leader in the media transfer industry for 14 years, we have preserved memories for over 100,000 satisfied clients nationwide.

Hanukkah begins on 25th day of month of Kislev on the Jewish calendar, which usually occurs in December - but not always.

Also known as "The Festival of Lights", this ancient holiday celebrates a triumph and a miracle that happened many, many years ago.

Hanukkah lasts 8 days and is celebrated by millions of families and individuals worldwide.








The tradition begins the victory over the Greeks, who were suppressing the Jewish faith by not allowing use of their temple or worship of their God - ultimately banning the practice of Judaism. Thus, the Maccabee family lead a revolt which resulted in regaining control of their temple.


Once the temple had been liberated, it was ordered that the temple be cleansed and rededicated for worship. The Menorah was required to burn Holy Oil throughout the day and night - however, there was little left. The process to purify the oil for use in the Menorah took 8 full days and there was only enough left to burn for one.


The miracle begins when the remaining oil was lit, with only enough left to burn for one full day, and burned steadily for a full 8 days straight - exactly the amount of time it took to purify more oil.

Because of this, an 8 day celebration was established to honor the triumph over tribulation and the miracle of hope. Each day, one candle is lit to represent the 8 days of Hanukkah - the candle in the middle is used to light the other candles.


Traditional foods are eaten throughout the celebration and each night gifts are exchanged between family members and friends.

Capture your own Hanukkah celebrations this year and preserve them forever. The holidays is the best time of the year to share with your loved ones and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate - may your days be blessed!

APM Studio transfers your home movies, videotapes, old film reels, photos, and slides to digital and DVD. As a leader in the media transfer industry for 14 years, we have preserved memories for over 100,000 satisfied clients nationwide. 

Looking for some fun Halloween craft ideas? Here are a few crafts that are easy and entertaining for you and your family to do together!














Halloween Tootsie Pop Ghosts

















Use tissues, colored cloths, or anything else creative to make these cute little ghost pops. Draw a spooky, silly, or scared face on the material used for the ghost itself. Then take the Tootsie Pop and wrap the material around, being sure that your face is showing! Use festive colored ribbon to tie off the ghost and voila! These are easy to make and are absolutely adorable to throw into a trick or treaters candy bag!

Skelton Graham Crackers

Delicous and easy for anyone to make! Use chocolate graham crackers and use icing to draw a skelton body on the cracker itself. Take a marshmellow and cut it in half for the head. Use chocolate sauce or an edible marker to give a face to your creation. Use different colored icing to spice up this neat, crafty snack!


Rice Krispie Treat, Candy Corn Mice

These adorable mice treats are easy to make and are tastey! Either make your own Rice Krispie Treats or use store bought ones to begin. First, cut the Rice Krispie Treats into triangles. Using yellow, white, and orange candy melts, dip your triangles in each to color them being sure to let each dip dry completely before the next. Attach black pearl candy beads for the eyes using the white candy melt as "glue". Cut small marshmellows in half to make the nose and attach a pink confetti sprinkle for the nose.

Any of these fun, delicious craft ideas will be a hit for any Halloween get together. More importantly, these crafts give you the opportunity to spend time with your children and family. Each of these ideas are easy to make and edible! 

Put together a craft day to spend time with family and create unique Halloween treats. The best part is that you will be making memories and new traditions that will last a lifetime.

With technology today it's so easy for anyone to capture a special moment when it strikes. Sometimes we get so caught up in the moment that we aren't able to snap the perfect picture. Below are some tips to help you take beautiful pictures of your favorite memories.

1. Level the camera so that it is at eye-level with your subjects. This is especially important when taking pictures of children or animals.

2. Stand farther back from your subjects and zoom in. By standing back and zooming in, it will flatter your subjects' faces and allow them to be the focus of the photograph.

3. When taking photos outside, position yourself so that the sun is to your back and on one side. This will allow the light to shine on your subjects' faces and provide great lighting for your setting.

4. Rotate your camera to take vertical pictures when the subject is appropriate. Landmarks, artchitechture, buildings, and even group photos sometimes turn out better when the camera is rotated.

5. Allow your camera time to focus before snapping the photo. Be sure that your subject is clear and steady. Most cameras have brackets that show up on screen to help you focus before you shoot.

6. For some photos, you can add character by not having the subject centered. For outdoorsy shots, this allows you to share more of the background and context of the landscape.

7. Mix and match your photo styles by taking both posed and candid shots. Candid photos capture real, raw emotion and usually end up being favorites because of their transparency.

8. Encourage and entertain your subjects. Try to capture true smiles from them to take the best photo possible.

There are many more tips and tricks you can use to help you take great photos, but these are a great way to start.

Create and capture your new memories in a way that you will remember forever. Preserve all of your memories on video and film, photos and audio recordings to share with your family and friends for generations.

Take advantage of this time before the holidays and preserve your memories today.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fundraisers, charities, races, rallies, and more are all avenues that are used to raise awareness. Even the NFL is in on it - coaches, players, and refs will be sporting pink gear with the trademark ribbon for the entire month.

Every year it seems more people, organizations, and companies are showing their support, making donations, and raising awareness. Increased awareness means that every year we inch closer and closer towards a cure for this ruthless disease that has affected so many people we love.

Join the fight today. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is by far the most well known organization responsible for rallying awareness and standing behind those still battling breast cancer.

Find your local Susan G. Komen for the Cure chapter here:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Every October, the local chapters put together a race called the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Participate alone or with a team to collect donations, raise awareness, and spend the day supporting the brave women and men dealing with this deadly disease.

Create or join a team today! Below is the link to the local race happening in South Florida:
Susan G. Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Race for the Cure

Cherish the moments spent with your loved ones as we are too often reminded how short and sweet life can be. Preserve your home movies, discover your heritage, protect your family memories, leave a legacy for your loved ones, and remember those who have gone before us.

Today, September 17th is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Millions of people and families celebrate the start of the new year on the Jewish calander to kick off the High Holy Days, or "Days of Awe". The High Holy Days occur during the Fall season in the Northern Hemisphere.

Traditional foods include apples and honey, as seen in the photo, to symbolize a sweet New Year. Other symbolic foods include dates, black-eyed peas, leek, spinach, gourd, and pomegranate. Each of these is eaten to symbolize prosperous, fruitful comings in the New Year.

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with close family and includes prayer and repentence to begin another year.

Spend this new year creating and preserving memories with friends and family.

Everyone at APM Studio would like to wish all who celebrate a Happy New Year - L'Shana Tova!

Neil Armstrong was an American hero in the truest sense. His military service, aeronautical genius, and explorer's spirit led him to become one of the most iconic individuals of our culture.

He was born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio and developed his love for flight very early - acheiving his student's pilot license when he was only 16. Armstrong attended Purdue University on a U.S. Navy scholarship, studing aeronautical engineering.

Shortly after entering college, Armstrong was called to service in the Korean War in 1949. He flew 78 combat missions for the United States throughout his military experience, leaving the service in 1952.

Armstrong then joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) which later evolved into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He worked as a test pilot and engineer for a few years before joining the astronaut program.

On March, 16, 1966, Neil Armstrong piloted his first space mission, Gemini VIII, along with David Scott. His first successful mission was followed by one of the most challenging tasks in our history - landing a spacecraft on the moon.


Along with Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, Armstrong launched into space aboard the Apollo 11, destined for the moon, on July 16, 1969. He piloted the spacecraft, landing on the moon on July 20, 1969. When Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface he uttered those famous words:

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Throughout the legacy of Neil Armstrong he largely stayed away from the spotlight, despite being the most famous astronaut in American history. Armstrong gave a rare interview in 2006 on 60 Minutes, when he described the moon landing to his interviewer, Ed Bradley. He always showed support for NASA and space exploration, testifying in Congress against the President in 2010 when the Costellation program faced cancellation. 

Neil Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, at the age of 82, after complications from a heart bypass surgury performed a few weeks prior. His family released this statement: 

"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

Neil Armstrong's funeral services will be held today. Fittingly, tonight is a Blue Moon, the last Blue Moon we will see until 2015, in fact. A Blue Moon occurs when there are two full moons in one month - as the name references the rarity of the event rather than the color of the moon itself.

Armstrong's legacy will live on for generations to come and he will go down as one of the most important individuals of our era. Preserve his memory and honor his accomplishments by always remembering that the sky is not the limit.

So tonight, when you look up at the big beautiful moon, give it a wink and say thanks to a true American Hero - Neil Armstrong, Rest In Peace.

Last night, America watched as the rerun of the Olympics from earlier that day took place - and what a day it was. Team USA excelled and two athletes in particular found themselves on the tallest podium, hand over heart, while the Star Spangled Banner rang through the arena.

Michael Phelps began his illustrious Olympic swimming career in Athens, 2004. In his very first race, Phelps completed the 400-m individual medley with a world record time and captured his first Olympic Gold. This event was a foreshadowing for whom is now one of the most iconic and important figures in the history of the Olympic Games.

On July 31, 2012 Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympic Athlete in history when he captured his 19th medal, a gold, in the 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay. 

Phelps left Athens in 2004 with 8 medals, 6 gold and 2 bronze - he continued his dominant reign in Beijing, 2008 when he clocked 8 gold medals. So far, in London 2012 Olympic Games, Phelps has achieved 4 medals, 2 gold and 2 silver with a few events left to compete. 



Gabby Douglas is a sweet sixteen year old that can fly through the air like no other gymnast in a while. Her impressive performances throughout the Olympic Games paid off as her and her teammates soared to victory.

It was also on July 31, 2012 that Gabby and her American teammates, McKayla, Aly, Kyla, and Jordyn took the gold medal in team all-around competition - winning gold for the Americans for the first time since 1996. Gabby continued to awe her fellow Americans as she competed in the individual all-around competition, coming out on top.

Gabby's individual all around gold medal is significant in so many ways. Her accomplishments will be engraved in history as the first African American, and the first African American women to become the individual all around Olympic champion. But, it doesn't stop there. Gabby is also the first American gymnast to win gold medals in both the team and individual all around competitions.

These two American Olympic heroes, along with many others, instill pride and patriotism for our mother country with their phenomenal performances.

Capture and preserve your most treasured accomplishments and gifts in life. Inspiring each other and uniting as one is part of what makes our country such an amazing place to live and call home.

Mara Little is a 10 year old girl growing up in my hometown, Walton, NY. Right now she is working to raise money for our local town theatre in hopes that it will remain active.

Growing up in Walton, NY the local movie theatre was used for movie premieres, variety shows, concerts, plays, and more. I definitely frequented the theatre growing up with my friends and loved having it there for entertainment.

Since my lifetime, the movie theatre has not had any major restorations or upgrades - aside from maybe a few new chairs. This fact never bothered any of us, we were just happy to have the theatre there to use.

The Walton Theatre, though historic in nature, is in need of help. I can understand how the theatre would now need these upgrades and enhancements to adequately provide entertainment for the locals.

Mara has graciously devoted her cause to saving the theatre, in which she herself has performed and entertained at. For her 10th birthday party, instead of asking for presents, Mara asked that her party-goers simply make a donation towards the cause to save the theatre. She did not stop there. Mara is continuing to raise money through bake and craft sales while encouraging other locals to pitch in and help too.

Fox and Friends interviewed Mara in this short media piece to help give her inspiring mission some publicity:

Mara's Interview on Fox and Friends to Save the Walton Theatre

Mara's story is a true inspiration. I'm sad to hear that my beloved theatre is danger of closing, but so happy that she is courageous enough to challenge our fellow Waltonians to take action.

If you would like to support the cause, please send donations/gifts to:

The Walton Theatre Preservation Association
P.O. Box 1
Walton, New York 13856

Preserving the past and memories is so important, especially in the times we live in. Inspire others and take action to protect and share your treasured memories forever.

Today is the day the opening ceremonies take place to kick off the Summer 2012 Olympic Games in London. It is expected that over 1 million people will be watching the 42 million dollar event live. The ceremonies are titled "Isles of Wonder" and will air at 7pm EST on NBC.

The stage is set and the bar has been raised since the incredible opening ceremonies held in Beijing in 2008. This event will take us on a journey through British culture, including Shakespeare, influential music, and even some Hollywood culture with James Bond.

The Opening Ceremony Artistic Director, Danny Boyle, said: "The Ceremony is an attempt to capture a picture of ourselves as a nation, where we have come from and where we want to be."

With over 15,000 volunteers working on the cermony, it has been quite a challenge to keep the details underwrap. Boyle attempted to keep the extravaganza tight-lipped by trending #SAVETHESURPRISE on social platforms. He had the hashtag lit up on all of the screens during preparations and a personal appeal was made to those who were on the inside.

All of the hard work leads up to tonight. As of now, it is still not clear who will light the final cauldron to launch the games, but much speculation has circled as to who it may be.

A beautiful timeline of pictures has been compiled of all the opening ceremonies from Paris, 1924 through Beijing, 2008. Remincse our worldwide competition's most prestigious athletes and extravagant moments here.

Once the opening events are completed, we can all unite in one solid cheer:

U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

On August 3rd, the new re-make of an old classic, Total Recall, hits the theatres. Essentially, the main character is bored with his life and has his mind filled with exciting memories of being an undercover agent; only to discover suppressed memories that cause for action.

Some of the technologies in this movie suprisingly are actually real, though still in their testing stages.

First, memory implantation is currently being studied starting with mice by replacing their hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for long and short term memory, with a microprocessor chip. The chip allowed the mice to recall surppressed memories in some and by the administration of a pharmaceutical drug in others, actually created memories that did not exist. 

Recording dreams is another form of technology used in the movie that allows the Rekall center to keep a "back up" of the memories they have implanted in their clients. Today, scientists can actually record and play back mental images through an MRI machine.

The MRI machine records the blood flow through the visual cortex of someone's brain as they are dreaming. From this, researchers from UC Berkeley have been able to reconstruct the mental images into video that can be displayed on a screen, playing from a person's mind.

These technologies are truly amazing and just another step in amazing digital revolution we live in. Creating, restoring, and preserving memories are some of life's most meaningful commodities. Holding onto our memories is what makes each one of us who we are as an individual and as families - hold onto yours forever.

Summer is in full swing and is still heating up! This is everyone's favorite time of year when school is out and vacations are full throttle. Spending time with our families and friends and having some fun in the sun is what summer time is all about!

I recently took a trip back home to visit my family and a few close hometown friends. Having not been home in about a year, I was not expecting too much to have changed since my last visit and anticipated a "good" short vacation.

I have a very large family of siblings, being the youngest of 12, so there is no shortage of people to see whenever I'm home. To my pleasant surprise, I was able to spend the majority of my time with my mother, sisters, neices, and nephews. It was one of the most refreshing vacations I have taken to date.

Planning family time, vacations, and trips is important to the fabric of your relationships. Even if you don't have the money to go to an exotic location or have a family party, simply spending time together and enjoying each other's company will keep you close.

Record, capture, and create many many new memories with your family and friends as summer strolls on. Preserve the good times and restore old memories back to life as you remincse the "good old days" with each other.

Happy Summer and keep making memories! 

Many of us have heard the news of late about the terrible wildfires in Colorado, affecting families across the state. There have been evacuations issued for residents and over 257 homes were lost to one of the wildfires near Fort Collins alone. As the fires continue to burn we can only hope that no one further is harmed and residents take necessary precautions to protect themselves.

Investigations are still underway to determine the origin and cause of the fires, deemed the most destructive case of wildfires in the state's history. Colorado governor, John Hickenlooper, announced on Thursday night that the White House has declared the fires in Colorado a major national disaster.  This announcement carries weight as it will increase the federal aid given to the communities affected by the blaze, as there are hundereds of families who have already lost their homes.

Sadly, many of the families affected who have lost their homes have been forced to leave all of their posessions and a lifetime of memories behind. This is a scary thought considering most of us may not have digital back ups of our important files, documents, and even our old home movies in case a natural disaster occurs. 

It is important to create a digital backup of anything you are able that is important. Mother Nature strikes swift and without warning during her most destructive phases, so there may not be time or means down the road. Unfortunately, the things that mean the most to us are usually the hardest to recover in light of a disaster. Take initiative today and preserve your precious memories, files, documents, and anything of importance. 

If anyone would like to donate to help the victims of the wildfires in Colorado, the Governor started the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012, which has already raised about $600,000 to benefit the families affected. You may also visit Help Colorado Now which is in conjunction with raising money and aid for families and residents.

Preserve your memories today as you never know what may come tomorrow. We keep the residents of Colorado and all of the families affected in our prayers and wish them all well in this difficult time.