December 2016 Employee Newsletter

This month’s Employee Spotlight focuses on the winning team of the second month of the 2016 Biggest Loser competition. Sara Funk (Social Worker in CVS), Diane Overby (Social

Worker in CVS), Kyann Hamilton (Social Worker in CVS), and Debbie Thompson (Case Aide in CVS) After losing 36.8 pounds in the first month, their team lost an additional 17.2 pounds in the second month of the competition! All 8 teams have lost an additional (combined) 23.4 pounds since the first month. This year’s competition has a slight twist: the tally resets each month of the 3-month competition, so that each team has an equal opportunity to win! Next year’s competition will include this resetting twist, along with the usual individual challenge and weight maintenance challenge. Don’t forget, if you have any ideas for a competition or suggestions for the Wellness Committee, be sure to send the information to any of the committee members listed on the Wellness page here. Pictured left to right: Sara Funk, Diane Overby, Kyann Hamilton, and Debbie Thompson

INSIDE Employee Spotlight……...Pg 1 Dates Offices Closed in

December....………......Pg 1 Employee Recognition

Ceremony…………......Pg 2 Holiday Safety Tips...……Pg 3 LinkedIn Training………..Pg 4 Area Events……...….........Pg 4 Employee Updates.……....Pg 4 Wellness Newsletter….…..Pg 5

Congratulations to Aimee Paxton from Community & Veterans Services Office for being our November WELCOA quiz winner! Aimee’s prize was a Wellness water bottle. Check out the December quiz at the end of the WELCOA health bulletins for your chance to win! All of the answers to the quiz can be found in the WELCOA health bulletins. Those who score 100% on the quiz will be entered for a chance to win a Wellness water bottle! Send your quiz answers (either the entire answer sheet, or just your answers in an email) to Karly in ASO by 12/15/16.

Reminder: County offices will be closed on Monday, December 26 in observance of Christmas Day.

2016Employee Recognition and Reception/Holiday Gathering

The 2016 Employee Recognition ceremony will be held during the County Board

meeting on Tuesday, December 13; the program will begin at 11:15 am.

All employees listed below are cordially invited to attend, so the County Board

can express their gratitude on behalf of the County for your years of service.

A reception and holiday gathering for all staff will follow from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

on the upper level of the Historic Courthouse.

The following employees will be recognized:

Name

Years

of Service

Mike Maurer 35

Diane Overby Fassler 30

Beth Steen 30

Randy Anderson 30

Carin Calander 25

Todd Schmatz 15

Susan Mordal 15

Bonnie Parker 15

Lisa Engbrecht Roxbury 15

Michael Dumonceaux 15

Bill Kerwin 15

Gene Hill 10

Travis Muyres 10

Shawn Steinbrecher 10

Jessy Vittum 10

Name

Years

of Service

Josh Ewert 10

Bradley Oslin 10

Ron Kinde 10

Bruce Cochran 10

Warren Delles 10

Ann Wilken 10

Terry Banick 5

Jeff Christians 5

Darren Fetters 5

Tammy Olson 5

Rod Greeley 5

Sherene Warner 5

Al Fjerstad 5

Sarah Zyvoloski 5

Holiday Safety Tips

Decorating Safety Never use lighted candles near trees, boughs, curtains/drapes, or with any potentially flammable item. Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass “angel hair.” It can irritate your eyes

and skin. A common substitute is non-flammable cotton. When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions carefully. These sprays can irritate your lungs if you inhale them. Small children may think that holiday plants look good enough to eat, but many

plants may be poisonous or can cause severe stomach problems. Plants to watch out for include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis. Keep all of these plants out of children's (and pets’) reach.

When displaying a natural tree, cut about two inches off the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly; this will help to avoid the risk of dry branches catching fire from the heat of Christmas bulbs.

Place your tree away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.

Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.

If you use an artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. Only use “indoor” lights indside (and only “outdoor” lights only outside). Look for

the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.

Use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs, around furniture legs, or across doorways.

Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Unplug extension cords when not in use.

When displaying outdoor lights, fasten them firmly to a secure support with insulated staples or hooks to avoid wind damage. Never nail or tack wiring when hanging lights, and keep plugs off the ground and away from puddles and snow. Ladder Safety When putting up holiday decorations, always use the proper step stool or ladder to

reach high places. Don’t stand on chairs, desks, or other furniture. If you have to use a step ladder near a doorway, lock or barricade the door and post

signs so no one will open it and knock you off the ladder.

Welcome, New Employees!

December 3: Mille Lacs Kathio: Through the Seasons Slide Show at Kathio State Park December 3: Isle Chamber of Commerce Christmas in the Park December 10: Santa Day & Bake Sale at Onamia Depot Library December 26: County offices closed in observance of Christmas Day

Area EventsArea Events

Employees Leaving

Zacharias Fitzgerald, Correctional Officer, left after 9 months of service

Casey Osborne, Correctional Officer, left after 1 year of service

Employee Moves

Lillian Hennes, promoted from Correctional Officer to Deputy Sheriff

Brian Wold, promoted from Assistant County Attorney I to Assistant County

Attorney II

Holly Wilson Personnel Director/Assistant County Administrator ASO

Remember, Mille Lacs County is offering a free LinkedIn training that is available to employees, as well as to the public! The class will be held in Conference Room D (lower level of the Historic Courthouse) from 1-2PM on Wednesday, December 14, and Thursday, December 15. Whether you are looking for an employer or employees, LinkedIn provides API’s (application program interface: a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications) to allow businesses the ability to substitute the traditional resume for a LinkedIn profile. Training in utilizing LinkedIn could include creation of accounts, populating profiles with proper information, applying and/or advertising for employment, and account security. In this class, you’ll learn:

Benefits of LinkedIn

How to Create an Account

Changing Account Settings

Adding Biography and Professional History

Connecting with People

Private Messaging

Searching on LinkedIn

Viewing Job Opportunities Click here for more information, or to register!

Healthy Choices.

Healthy Me. An Employee Worksite Wellness Initiative

December 2016

Volume 26

About This Issue

Funded and Supported By:

It is the Mille Lacs County Employee

Wellness Program’s mission to

educate, support, and empower

employees to improve and maintain

their overall health and well-being

through healthy lifestyle choices.

Visit our web page HERE !

Healthy Choices. Healthy Me.

This month we are looking at

holiday survival tips!

Alisha Voigt, CVS Diane Overby, CVS Dillon Hayes, LSO Joni Windhauser, SO Karly Fetters, ASO Lynn Goldbloom, CVS Mellissa Griswold, CAO Pat Oman, ASO Susan Shaw, SWCD Trisha Ellington, CVS

Current Wellness

Committee Members

Next Meeting

Thursday 12/15/16

2:30 pm

Conference Room A

Healthy Holiday Survival Tips

It's that time again. The holidays – a time when the average American gains 7-10 pounds through the countless festivities full of food, family, food, friends, food, fun, and oh, did I mention FOOD? Yes, it's food season. For weeks you'll be surrounded by mounds of mashed potatoes and pounds of chocolate that could tempt even those most dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. Sure, the upcoming weeks are supposed to be filled with joy and cheer, but for those trying to shed or even maintain weight, the holidays can prove exceptionally stressful. Besides the many tempting meals we'll face, the extra hours spent shopping and attending Christmas celebrations can easily eat up our regular workout time.

Maintain, Don’t Gain! Let's face it: until that big ball drops in Times Square, it will be virtually impossible to focus on a new lifestyle or fitness perfection. That's why I suggest you relax and enjoy yourself this season. Give yourself permission to party and celebrate your successes! Don't worry about shedding pounds over the next few weeks. Instead, focus on maintaining your weight by putting into practice the following tips. Tips to Celebrate the Season Guilt-free 1. Divide, don't deprive. When you sit down to a big holiday meal, it's okay to

try what looks tasty; just take half portions of the foods you want. That way you are cutting down on your intake and still enjoying the holiday treats.

2. Two taste tests. When cooking for the holidays, keep your hand from automatically going to your mouth. Limit your taste tests to two (2). That's enough to know if your goodies are good without eating too much. If you still need to munch while cooking, keep healthy snacks near the mixing bowl.

3. Keep on moving. Try to incorporate some added activity into your holiday

“to do” lists. For instance, park further away from the stores when you are off

to do your holiday shopping, and take the stairs instead of an elevator or

escalator whenever possible. Also, plan a few fun physical activities with your

family or friends (skiing, sledding, ice skating, etc). And, make sure you set

aside some time to fit in your regular workout routine. It will help with the

extra treats you are consuming, as well as help to minimize the holiday stress.

Healthy Choices.

Healthy Me. An Employee Worksite Wellness Initiative

December 2016

Volume 26

About This Issue

Funded and Supported By:

It is the Mille Lacs County Employee

Wellness Program’s mission to

educate, support, and empower

employees to improve and maintain

their overall health and well-being

through healthy lifestyle choices.

Visit our web page HERE !

Healthy Choices. Healthy Me.

This month we are looking at

holiday survival tips!

Alisha Voigt, CVS Diane Overby, CVS Dillon Hayes, LSO Joni Windhauser, SO Karly Fetters, ASO Lynn Goldbloom, CVS Mellissa Griswold, CAO Pat Oman, ASO Susan Shaw, SWCD Trisha Ellington, CVS

Current Wellness

Committee Members

Next Meeting

Thursday 12/15/16

2:30 pm

Conference Room A

4. Eat before you greet. Eat healthy before you attend parties. Especially focus

on foods with fiber that will fill you up. That way you are not starving when

you arrive and will eat less of the party foods. And when the holidays are over, set your new healthy goals, get back on track, and GO FOR IT! Make a plan for 2017 for your healthier lifestyle. Whether that is shedding weight, increasing your energy, or just getting fit, you may want to consider hiring a Personal Fitness Trainer or trying the Fitness Boot Camp to help jumpstart your 2017 goals! Many trainers and gyms offer specials during the Christmas and New Year season. Check them out. Or you may want to start your new year with a detoxifying body cleanse. There are many cleanses available in today's marketplace. Some assist with shedding weight, some reverse and break those carbohydrate and sugar cravings, and some detoxify your various organs and body. Check with your local Nutrition Coach, Herbalist, Homeopath, or Chiropractor for options available and which is best for you. by Julie A. Page, Certified Fitness Trainer, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach www.totalwellnesscoachingmn.com