Ask Seymour launches Tuesday — here’s what to know
We’ve been preparing you for the exciting launch of Ask Seymour for some time now. Well, next Tuesday, June 26, is the day! Remember: Ask Seymour will be replacing our intranet, though some links within the program will take you “behind the scenes” to areas that are still housed there.

What you will find is easier search functionality — simply type in your question, and your search results appear within seconds. Choose the answer you’re looking for, and you will be taken right to the specific section of a procedure or manual. No more sifting through a whole PDF manual! All types of information will be at your fingertips, from our employee manual and benefits information to branch policies and procedures. Ask Seymour will be your go-to source. Read on for more information about this great new program — Milene Below has the scoop.

Balzer bikes 89 miles in one week

Earlier this month, Wauwatosa branch manager and AVP Mary Rose Balzer took to the road and put 89 miles on her bicycle in one week.

Over the first weekend of the month, she and her husband, David, joined their three sons and other members of Boy Scout Troop 16 for an annual ride along the Elroy Sparta Trail. “This was the first year I completed the whole 64 miles,” Mary Rose says. The group did 32 miles on Saturday, June 2, camped overnight, and then pedaled back to where they’d started. Mary Rose and David are pictured above outside one of three converted train tunnels they had to walk the bikes through. “The boys were too fast to keep up with so, they were nowhere to be found for a picture,” she says. Read on to hear about the rest of Mary Rose’s busy week!

Kingfish invite Kids Club for tour

Kenosha area branch manager Julie Goebel, Kenosha Festival assistant branch manager–sales Bridget Anderson, and universal banker Erik Bankhead attended this summer’s first North Shore Bank–sponsored event for the Kenosha Kingfish Kids Club, a VIP tour of the Northwoods League baseball team’s stadium, followed by lunch.

“It was great getting to know the players and sharing in the kids’ excitement for the sport,” Julie said. Parents or guardians can sign up their children for the Kids Club at any North Shore Bank branch in Kenosha. The child will receive two free vouchers for tickets to Kingfish games. •••

Hansen wins prize for referrals

Muskego branch manager Danielle Hansen earned a Google Home Mini from Elavon for her referrals in the “Let’s Rock 2018” promotion earlier this year. She referred three businesses to Elavon for merchant services. Way to go, Danielle! She’s pictured above with district manager Lauri Lunde. •••

Co-workers celebrate Burdette’s riverboat wedding

Colleagues celebrated commercial loan specialist Yvette Burdette’s wedding last weekend with cake this week.

Yvette and her husband, Dave, dated for nine years and decided to get married after they recently started looking for a home together. They had the ceremony on a 45-foot pontoon boat on the Milwaukee River. “Hence the great boat cake provided by my department!” she said. “It was a perfect day with a beautiful breeze.” Yvette thanked her manager, VP and loan processing/closing manager Barb Wisneski, for working with her and keeping the nuptial plans under wraps. She added: “Now on to the hard part: changing my name!” Soon, she’ll be Yvette Jankowski. Congratulations, Yvette! •••

North Shore Shape Up: Challenging your brain is healthy
Learning and seeking out new and challenging concepts is healthy — it might even help you fight off Alzheimer’s or other brain disease. As Harvard Health explains, it’s all about improving your cognitive reserve — “the ability to improvise and find alternate ways of getting a job done.”

The concept of cognitive reserve originated in the late 1980s, when researchers described individuals with no apparent symptoms of dementia who were nonetheless found at autopsy to have brain changes consistent with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. These individuals did not show symptoms of the disease while they were alive because they had a large enough cognitive reserve to offset the damage and continue to function as usual.

Since then, research has shown that people with greater cognitive reserve are better able to stave off the degenerative brain changes associated with dementia or other brain diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or a stroke. A more robust cognitive reserve can also help you function better for longer if you’re exposed to unexpected life events, such as stress, surgery, or toxins in the environment.

So look for work and leisure activities every day that will stretch your brain at least a little. You’ll be happier and wiser! •••

Upcoming Events
The 23rd Annual Pewaukee Kiwanis Beach Party takes place tomorrow, Friday, June 22 on the lakefront, and continues on Saturday, June 23. Come for food and fun! More upcoming events here.

Internal Job Postings •••

• Branch Manager, Cudahy, full time, 40 hours/week. Pay grade: E11. Referral bonus: $750. Internal closing date: TODAY.
• Personal Banker, Oak Creek, full time, 40 hours/week. Pay grade: N05. Referral bonus: $500. Internal closing date: TODAY.
• Teller, Regency/Racine, full time, 40 hours/week. Pay grade: N02. Referral bonus: $300. Internal closing date: TODAY.

For a complete list of internal job postings and to apply for one, go to nsbcareersforyou.silkroad.com and click on “Internal Openings” at the top. To refer an external person to an opening, go to our intranet page. You can earn cash and prizes for a successful referral!