Joe Fretschel still loves thinking outside of the box
When he started here in 2002, Joe Fretschel had a lot on his plate, from staffing issues to fixes that needed to be made to the bank’s host system. Such a big slate of projects was an appealing proposition to the corporate loan servicing manager and VP, who has always thought of himself as a “working manager.”

“If something is amiss, I want to be the one to find and correct it, rather than wait for someone else to tell me that we have a problem,” he says. “When I started, I had problems and was looking for solutions. Today, I look at many different exception reports looking for problems.” Read about Joe’s 20 years at North Shore Bank!

Working moms, share pics for a chance to win
To celebrate National Working Moms Day on March 12, we are shining a light on the working mothers of North Shore Bank and giving them a chance to win a prize.

Working moms, we want to see photos of you and your kids and hear your best advice on balancing your work and family life. What works for you? What doesn’t? What do you wish you’d known years ago? (And “former” working moms whose kids are grown, we’d love to see pics with your children and hear from you too — both how you did it and your words of reassurance that everyone turned out OK!) We’ll share your pictures and stories in Shorelines and on social media.

All the moms who send in photos and thoughts, advice, or stories will be entered for a chance to win. Two prize winners will be selected. One will win a copy (print, ebook, or audiobook) of The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, by Brené Brown. More than just a self-help book, this New York Times bestseller describes ten guideposts to “wholehearted living” and has been described as “life-changing” by many readers. The other prize winner will receive a paid half day off (4 hours).

Email your photos and words to shorelines@northshorebank.com or text them to 608-318-3348. Include the names of everyone in photos, and ages of all children. Deadline is next Friday, February 18. •••

WMBA recognizes six employees as award finalists

The Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association has named six North Shore Bank employees as finalists in the organization’s eighth annual Best in Business Awards. These finalists have been recognized by their peers for their contributions to WMBA and the banking industry. Read more about them now!

Employees wear red to help fight heart disease
Bank employees dressed up scarlet, crimson, and other shades for National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 4. The annual event helps the American Heart Association bring awareness to the widespread problem of heart disease in women.

At Brookfield Square, area manager AVP Maria Baumer, universal banker Erin Hunsberger, assistant branch manager Mariella Zarb, investment consultant Dennis White, and personal banker Peg Siebaurer showed their support.

At Shorewood, teller Kevin Pereira, assistant branch manager Enrik Braho, teller Audrey Elliott, and mortgage loan officer Greg Kroll put on their red.

Although she was recovering from surgery and working from home, senior systems analyst Sherri Scalish and red nose pit bull Luna honored the day. Looking good, pup!

And the Southwest team wore red as well: universal banker Dawn Conley, teller Rachel Dahlke, branch manager Joline Lazarski, and community loan originator Diana Castillo. •••

Bankers volunteer at Feeding America

Three bankers pitched in at Feeding America last Wednesday, February 2. Consumer lending manager Chris Boland, mortgage loan originator Sandipa Das, and senior mortgage lender Sherry Leanna helped out at the hunger-relief nonprofit as part of a volunteer effort organized by the Realtors Association of Northeast Wisconsin. They packed black beans for distribution to area food pantries and meal programs serving the hungry.

“It was a great experience, and we packed a lot of black beans into two-pound bags!” Chris reported.

And a related reminder: As part of the Bank on Kindness program, we’re inviting the public to donate money to nine local food pantries at give.mastercard.com/p/northshorebank, through Sunday, February 20. The bank will match up to $500 in donations to each pantry. And you can win a $75 gift card by sharing one of the bank’s social posts! More information is here. •••

Customers appreciate Adams

Here’s some nice feedback from customers of Allouez area manager Mickey Adams, who were selling their house. “Mickey is the best!” they write. “We loved the personal attention.” Nice work, Mickey! •••

Simplify your life by completing tasks undone

Completing our tasks, reducing the wants, keeping our commitments — these are all ways to free ourselves from worldly attachments. When things are left undone, they don’t just go away. They come back again and again, and often appear in a more frustrating state. Anything we can do to simplify life helps us. We must strive to finish those tasks and reduce the want list to create a feeling of liberation and contentment.

Try this meditation for one minute every day, or longer if you want to:

THINK OF THREE THINGS in your life that need completion. Then see yourself already having the strength and focus to get them done. (You will make faster progress than you think!)

I divest myself of my past tendency to walk away from my projects and plans. I develop the resolve to see all things through to completion.

How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of A Mindful Day: 365 Ways to Live Life With Peace, Clarity, and an Open Heart, by David Dillard-Wright.

If you’d like a daily email reminder to practice one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject “Mindfulness reminder.” •••

Service Anniversaries for February 2022
The following employees celebrate a milestone anniversary with North Shore Bank this month.

25 years
Patty Wells, Senior Staff Accountant – FAIR

20 years
Joe Fretschel, Vice President, Loan Servicing Manager — read more about Joe’s career!
Joan Watson, Traveling Teller

15 years
Margie Brusa, District Operations Manager
Sue Doyle, Senior Vice President, Retail Banking

10 years
Jonathon Habighorst, Commercial Real Estate Loan Originator

5 years
Carrie Feiker, Customer Assistance Specialist
Janet Rosenthal, Talent Acquisition Manager

Leave a comment to congratulate them!