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Halloween

Turn Your Clocks Back!

Harvest Moon!

New Year’s Day – Paid Holiday Christmas Eve – Paid Holiday

New Year’s Day – Paid Holiday

Thanksgiving – Paid Holiday

Christmas Day – Paid Holiday

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I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe as we

continue to fight COVID. With our daily activities we

continue to build and deliver product to our customers.

Typical daily / weekly meetings are not taking place to

maintain social distancing keep employees safe.

Our Plant is looking good with items in place labeled and

squared up. We as a team must stay focused on our 6s

program to maintain safety, organization and cleanliness

in the plant and office areas.

We started our 6s Audits back up in August of this year

and we continue to challenge each other on who has

the most organized areas.

Thank you again to all of the 6s Auditors: Chris Mitchell,

Scott Brake, Greg Huchla, Jason Curtis, Paige Freeland,

Ming Ge, Gary Danis, Derrell Bracy and Jonathan Jenkins.

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2.167

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2.667

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2.733

2.85

3

2.625

2.833

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2.625

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2.83

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0 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36

Maint.

Humidifier

Filter

Shipping

Plant Manager

Operations

Cust. Service

Engineering

Marketing

Accounting

Jan. 2020

Feb. 2020

Aug. 2020

Sept. 2020

Oct. 2020

Nov. 2020

3

2.8

2.7

2.

2.1

2.

2.9

2.

2.

2.7

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The first “COVID-Style”

celebration was for

owner & VP of operations

John Redner, who celebrated 30 years with

General Filters June 11.

Next, we said goodbye to Joe Boczar, who retired from General Filters after 10 years with the company! Joe was director of engineering and worked to bring several significant projects

to fruition. We miss Joe and wish him well!

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Of course, Joe’s office

was decorated!

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Then we said goodbye to Elaine Fried, who found an opportunity she could not pass up closer to home! As purchasing agent, Elaine was a valuable and bright addition for the year

she worked at General Filters.

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Happy Birthday!

OCTOBER

DAWN TUORINIEMI 15

WILSON RODRIGUEZ 19

MING GE 21

MATT BLAKEMORE 29

CHRISTINA MITCHELL 30

NOVEMBER

LOURDES "JING" DEMETRIA 14

JAMIE MCFARLIN 18

MARK WILLIAMS 19

JONATHAN JENKINS 20

JOHN REDNER 20

DECEMBER

DAVID TYLER 6

LINDA OBERSON 20

BRENDA LAWSON 24

JANUARY

LINDA KATOCH 15

VERONICA REGAN 16

PAIGE FREELAND 28

DONNA SENS 30

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Joe Mendolia has been appointed region sales manager

with A to Z Sales out of Downer’s Grove, IL.

Joe’s background includes Financial Analysis and Sales

Management in both HVAC distribution and hydronics

manufacturing. Joe will work with wholesale distributors and

key contractors in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

Joe brings supply chain experience, knowledge of

hydronics, and a proven record of growth through sales.

Welcome Joe!

Dave Whisnant joined General Filters recently to manage our maintenance department. After

recently moving back to Michigan after many years in Arizona, Dave came back to be closer

to his two daughters who also live in the area. A big hockey fan, Dave enjoys watching the

Detroit Redwings! Let’s hope they have a good season this year!

Welcome Dave!

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Shupe Carboni’s Matt Riner and his wife welcomed their beautiful baby girl Grace Elizabeth in

July of this year. No doubt she’s the apple of her daddy’s eye. Congratulations!

BigPhil Avenmarg will celebrate 30 years with General Filters

in December! An avid hunter and outdoor enthusiast,

Phil has dedicated his expertise as productivity manager

in manufacturing for many years. Congratulations Phil!

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The advent of COVID-19 has brought new focus to indoor air quality. According to the EPA:

Ensuring proper ventilation with outside air can help reduce airborne contaminants, including

viruses, indoors. However, by itself, increasing ventilation is not enough to protect people from

exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. When used along with other best practices (such

as social distancing, frequent hand washing, and surface disinfection) recommended by the

CDC, increasing ventilation can be part of a plan to protect yourself and your family. Other

tips:

• Increase humidity indoors during the dry winter months to reduce the transmission of

aireborne viruses, germs, and other airborne pathogens.

• Run HVAC system longer to better filter indoor air. Indoor air is only filtered with air

circulating through the ductwork of your home.

• Utilize a portable air cleaner in addiditon to your home’s filtration system.

General Filters also offers Second Wind™ UV Air Purifiers that

degrade airborne pathogens to create a healthier and safer

home environment. “These products have been selling so quickly

with the COVID pandemic that we have had a difficult time

keeping up with demand.”, said Sales Director Allan Feys.

“They’re sold even before we manufacture them.

Although General Filters’ products are primarily for the residential market, we have also found

increased interest in our commercial UV air purifier units.”

etiquetteDuring the COVID pandemic General Filters has not allowed customers into the lobby to

purchase replacement products. In addition, in-person meetings with business partners are

limited. Health screenings and temperature checks continue for everyone and all interactions

/ meetings are conducted with proper distancing and face masks.

With cold winter months on the way, however, the lobby will soon have a guided pathway for

indoor sales. The floor will be marked and barriers placed to protect customers and staff

indoors, not only from COVID but the frigid outdoor temperatures. Other purchase options

include receiving free shipping online, or calling the order in for a quick pickup in the lobby.

Face masks and health screenings are required by everyone visting our offices.

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The sales and marketing staff at General Filters typically attend several

“face-to-face” customer meetings throughout the year, but due to the

COVID pandemic this year, several meetings and trade shows have been

cancelled and replaced by “virtual” events. Software programs such as

GoToMeeting, Zoom, and Skype have replaced in-person meetings, which

have their advantages.

Obvious benefits include saving money on travel, food, and hotel, not having to pack a bag,

and not having to be away from family. “Often our face-to-face meetings take place in a

massive meeting room with approximately 1,000 other individuals; all participating in the same

process. The noise and movement can be quite

distracting. In addition, the meetings are timed. Once

the music starts after a very short 12 minute meeting, it’s

time to move to the next customer. There’s not enough

time in which the group can discuss everything you’d

hoped”, said Marketing Manager Paige Freeland.

“Despite that we do find it a worthwhile event.”

“The virtual meetings, however, offered a more relaxed,

quiet, and unhurried experience in which to discuss

topics important to each. Meetings were not the typical hurried 12 minutes, but rather a more

relaxed 30 to 60 minutes. We not only had time to discuss business, but (for someone like me

who sees many of these folks only once a year) get to know one another a bit better,” said

Paige.

The virtual format has also been a benefit for product training and other product introduction

meetings that took place while contractors were unable to make house calls during

lockdown.

Introduced in 2018, the GeneralAire® DH75 & DH100 Wi-Fi and touch screen dehumidifiers

were the first-in-market to offer so many rich features that included Wi-Fi control. The units

were introduced with an AFCI power cord, which at the time was required by ETL on all new

appliances to enhance electrical safety. Over time,

however, we found customers preferred a regular

power cord. Fortunately ETL also changed their stance

to allow offering the cord as a standard order. While

DH75’s and DH100’s now include a standard power

cord, the AFCI cord is still an option available upon

request.

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New humidifier models 3200, 4200 (evaporative), 5500 (steam), a new GFX4 humidistat, and

GA10 Vapor Pad® were all introduced to the market in May of this year. Reception of the

new products thus far has been very positive.

The new products are designed with the contractor in mind, ensuring installation and maintenance are faster and easier than before. The

model designations (3200, 4200, 5500) are

to assist in humidifier selection, as each

represents a home’s square footage for

which the humidifier accommodates.

Models are smaller for tight installation

spaces, lighter for ease of transport and

installation, and branded with the new

GeneralAire® logo!

The COVID pandemic has fostered fear and uncertainty. Be aware that criminals are

attempting to exploit that fear for personal gain, so beware and know this:

• The Food and Drug Administration has already sent more than 115 warning letters

alerting companies that their products can’t legally be sold as treating or preventing

COVID-19.

• Beware of robocalls offering to sell PPE or other medical devices.

• As of August 3, the FTC has received more than 79,000 reports of fraud related to

COVID-9 stimulus payments, N95 masks and related terms; resulting in at least $97 million

in fraud loss. Be wary of anyone calling you and saying you received an overpayment

and demand some of it back.

• NEVER offer your Social Security number, drivers license number, Medicare ID, banking

or CC card numbers to anyone requesting such information; most specially when

unsolicited. One scam asks for your Medicare ID in order to receive free COVID tests or

supplies.

• Don’t accept a free COVID test from an unknown source.

• Law enforcement has seen an increase in social media scams and telephone calls

fraudulently seeking donations for illegitimage or non-existent charitable organizations,

requesting your banking information. They may ask you to download a file that then

infect your hard drive or steal personal information.

Read more on the department of justice website.

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Saturday October 31, 2020 – Halloween - is soon here. This year a couple other events take

place that same spooky night:

1. Take a break from that spooky movie to walk outside and view the full moon (also

called “Harvest moon”); visible to the entire world for the first time since World War II!

2. Turn your clocks back one hour that night before going to sleep.

If you’d like more

Halloween fun, visit

downtown

Northville to see the

many Halloween

skeletons outside

local businesses

and area homes.

Each is dressed

differently to reflect

the business by

which they are

posed, or the

imagination of the

owner. They are

displayed the entire

month of October.

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ScaryTHERE WAS ONCE A MAN who travelled the land all over in search of a wife. He saw young and old, rich and poor, pretty and plain, and could not meet with one to his mind. At last he found a woman,

young, fair, and rich, who possessed a right arm of solid gold. He married her at once, and thought no

man so fortunate as he was. They lived happily together, but, though he wished people to think

otherwise, he was fonder of the golden arm than of all his wife's gifts besides.

At last she died. The husband put on the blackest black, and pulled the longest face at the funeral; but for all that he got up in the middle of the night, dug up the body, and cut off the golden arm. He hurried home to hide his treasure, and thought no one would know. The following night he put the golden arm under his pillow, and was just falling asleep, when the ghost of his dead wife glided into the room. Stalking up to the bedside it drew the curtain, and looked at him reproachfully. Pretending not to be afraid, he spoke to the ghost, and said: "What hast thou done with thy cheeks so red?"

"All withered and wasted away," replied the ghost in a hollow tone.

"What hast thou done with thy red rosy lips?"

"All withered and wasted away."

"What hast thou done with thy golden hair?"

"All withered and wasted away."

"What hast thou done with thy Golden Arm?"

"Thou took it!"

“Give me back my Golden

Arm or I’ll take YOU WITH ME!”

The bride took her husband, and her arm, with her into her dark cold grave for all of eternity.

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By Simran Khurana: Gratitude should not be merely customary politeness. It should reflect a

deep humility and love that we feel towards one another. Saying, "thank you" is just the

beginning of expressing gratitude. Being thankful has many benefits. A thankful heart has no

place for arrogance, resentment, jealousy, or anger. You will often find that people who

express genuine gratitude have a pleasant and amiable personality. When you express

gratitude, you make friends. When gratitude is accompanied by a generous word of praise or

two, relationships thrive. Also, a grateful person can hope to gain more favors in the future

from their generous friends.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon: You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make

a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were

doubled.

Henry Clay: Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the

grateful and appreciating heart.

Johannes A. Gaertner: To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is

generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

Frank A. Clark: If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what

he's going to get.

Melody Beattie: Gratitude unlocks the

fullness of life.

Willie Nelson: When I started counting my

blessings, my whole life turned around.

Anne Frank: No one has ever become poor

by giving.

John F. Kennedy: As we express our

gratitude, we must never forget that the

highest appreciation is not to utter words,

but to live by them.

Winston Churchill: We make a living by

what we get, but we make a life by what

we give.

Amy Carmichael: You can give without

loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Ralph Marston: Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation,

sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.

https://www.liveabout.com/thank-you-card-quotes-2833560https://www.thoughtco.com/quotes-about-friendship-and-love-2832316

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Ingredients:

Savory Thyme Dough

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. Thyme leaves

1/2 tsp. Kosher salt

1/2 c. unsalted butter, cut up (1 stick)

1 tbsp. distilled white vinegar

1 tbsp. ice-cold water, plus 1-2 teaspoon

to add if necessary

Rustic Potato and Fennel Galette

1 small bulb fennel, very thinly sliced

1 Yukon gold potato, very thinly sliced

1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced

2 tbsp. olive oil

pepper

Kosher salt

3 oz. shredded Gruyère cheese

1 egg, beaten

Directions

Make Savory Thyme Dough: In food

processor, combine flour, thyme and salt. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse

crumbs.

1. Add vinegar and 1 tablespoon ice-cold water, pulsing until dough is crumbly but holds

together when squeezed (if necessary, add remaining water, 1 teaspoon at a time). Do

not overmix.

2. Transfer dough to piece of plastic wrap and shape into 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap tightly and

refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Make Rustic Potato and Fennel Galette: Heat oven to 400°F. Roll Savory Thyme Dough

between parchment to 13-inch circle.

3. In large bowl, toss fennel, potato and

onion with olive oil and ¼ teaspoon

each salt and pepper. Fold in Gruyère.

4. Slide crust with parchment onto baking

sheet. Top with vegetable mixture,

leaving 2-inch border. Fold border over

filling and brush with egg.

5. Bake until vegetables are tender and

crust is golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes

(cover with foil if crust browns too

quickly).

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Ingredients: 4 Medium Yukon Gold Potatoes;

peeled & diced

1 (16 can) Cannellini Beans; drained & rinsed

1 cup Cauliflower Florets

2 Medium Carrots; peeled & sliced

2 Medium Celery Stalks; sliced

1 Medium Yellow Onion; chopped

2 med. cloves Garlic; minced

5 cups Chicken Broth

2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley; chopped

1 tablespoons Fresh Thyme; chopped

½ teaspoon Pepper

½ teaspoon Kosher Salt

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium

heat. Add onions and thyme and cook

until onions are translucent, about 5

minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower and

celery. Cook until vegetables are soft,

about 8 minutes. Add garlic and sauté

until lightly browned.

2. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a low

simmer. Add cannellini beans and

potatoes.

3. Cook until potatoes are fork tender,

about 10 minutes. Add parsley and

season with

salt and pepper.

Serve the soup with salad, your favoriate

sandwich or even garlic toast.

And when you can, share a good meal with

the ones you love, along with a nice glass of

wine!

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May you and your families have a

safe, happy, and COVID-Free

Holiday Season and New Year!