Bonfires, sweaters, and romance — fall is here!
Here’s what North Shore Bank employees love about autumn:

“I love the colors and the smell of the air. I love the cooler weather, and sitting around a bonfire with a hoodie on. I love going to the pumpkin farm with my kids and having hot apple cider,” Union Grove universal banker Staci Ryan says. “And fall is also my favorite because that is when I married the love of my life. September 23 was our five-year wedding anniversary.”

And New Berlin teller supervisor Megan Gross says: “I love fall because it’s sweater weather now, and the leaves are changing colors.”

What’s your favorite thing about fall? Tell us using the submissions form, or email us at shorelines@northshorebank.com — and share a photo if you’ve got one! (You can also text us at 608-318-3348.) Make sure to include your name. •••

Cicona-Trudell leading team at Making Strides
Want to fight breast cancer? Business relationship manager Cheri Cicona-Trudell is leading a team in this year’s Making Strides of Milwaukee walk on Saturday, October 15, at Henry Maier Festival Park.

“I’ve signed up to walk to raise awareness of breast cancer and to raise money for the American Cancer Society,” said Cheri, who was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer, in 2015. “The money raised at this event will stay in our community and go to individuals without a support system — helping them with rides to appointments, costs of treatment, meals, and emotional support. I was blessed to have an amazing support system of family and friends, but not everyone is as fortunate as I was. Now it’s time to make sure I give back to the community and help others in need.”

You can donate to Trudell’s Team online and get more information about the Milwaukee event. There will be two routes: 1.5 and 3 miles. If you are interested in walking with her team, email Cheri. •••

August’s CrimeBusters saved customers thousands

Shorelines is honored to present the Peggy Theisen CrimeBuster Awards. Former security officer Peggy Theisen started the CrimeBuster Award program in 2013 to commend branch employees who identified security risks and took action to protect our customers and North Shore Bank. Now named for Peggy, who passed away in April 2021, the monthly awards will recognize bank employees who continue that work, exemplifying her positive spirit and commitment to safeguarding both customers and company. We will also highlight security saves from each month to make readers aware of new and ongoing trends in the world of frauds and scams, and to help you understand what to look out for.

Our CrimeBusters for August 2022 are: cash flow coordinator Denise Dionisio, Milwaukee Capitol teller supervisor Jacquetta Garner, debit card/ATM processing specialist Vince Hoch, checking services manager Erica Johnson, checking services rep Renee Machado, Forest Home assistant branch manager Zoran Saric, customer assistance rep Raquel Urbina, and Milwaukee Capitol branch manager Mike Williams.

Security Saves: This Month’s Highlights
WHEN A CUSTOMER said he wanted to wire $48,000 to purchase a home for his kids, the banker thought it was odd the money was going to a person instead of a title company. After calling Security for guidance, the banker asked more questions. The customer admitted his computer had been hacked, and that he’d been connected with the “North Shore Bank Fraud Department.” The money was supposedly going to be moved into a “safe account” when he sent the wire. The fraudster had instructed him to tell the bank it was for a home purchase.

Security says: It is always important to get as much info as you can about why a wire is being sent. Does the customer’s stated reason for sending money make sense? Does the recipient make sense for the purpose given? Does the customer seem confident about their answers or explanation? Is this type of transaction normal for them?

A CUSTOMER CAME into the branch and requested a withdrawal of $7,000 in cash. When the banker asked what the money was for, the customer said it was bail money for their son, who’d been in a car accident. The customer was going to send the cash to the son’s lawyer in Minnesota via UPS. The banker brought the customer into an office and called Security. Security explained the grandparent scam to the customer and suggested they call their son while at the branch. The customer agreed, and the banker was able to get in touch with the son — who was safe at work.

Security says: Remember, fraudsters can be very convincing and will use scare tactics as a way to get what they want. Ask the customer to speak with you privately in an office, where you can talk one-on-one before letting them leave with the cash. Find out if the customer has tried calling the family member to see if they are really in trouble. Ask them: Does it make sense to mail cash to a lawyer for bail money?

Here are some resources for both you and your customers about scams and how to protect yourself from them:

AARP: Scams & Fraud
Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Advice on Scams

Trust your instincts! If something feels off, contact Security immediately for guidance on how to proceed. •••

Shorewood Feast winner thrilled to pick up prize

The winner of our Shorewood Feast raffle stopped in at the branch earlier this month to pick up her prize — a basket filled with gift cards, treats, and other good stuff from area businesses.

“She was so excited!” area branch manager Shannon Weber said. “I was so excited for her as well. She talked about how much fun she had at the feast and what a perfect day we all had with the weather. And she said she really enjoyed stopping by the North Shore Bank booth and is even happier she did now.” •••

Skeleton Safari will be spooky fun at Zoo Boo
The North Shore Bank Zoo Boo returns to Green Bay’s NEW Zoo & Adventure Park on Fridays and Saturdays, October 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22, from 3 to 8 p.m.

This family event is all treats and no tricks. Guests are welcome to come in costume or not, and everyone age 1 or older gets a bag of candy. Besides a chance to check out the animals, the Zoo Boo will feature activities like the Happy Haunted Maze in the Children’s Zoo, games, carousel rides — and the Haunted Zoo Zone, for those with the courage.

And starting Saturday, October 1, all NEW Zoo guests can download our free Photo Fun Safari app and search for some bony buddies in the North Shore Bank Zoo Boo Skeleton Safari. (iPhone and Android users will need to download or update the app on October 1 to see the skeletons.)

The public can also enter our Zoo Boo giveaway for a chance to win a prize package that includes a one-year NEW Zoo Family Plus Membership and a free private Wild Encounter with up to four different live animals — a $200 value.

Zoo Boo tickets are $15 per person, and presale tickets are available through today at northshorebank.com/zooboo. Kids 2 and under get in free. This year’s new Canopy Tour Combo Tickets are $20 each and get you into the Zoo Boo as well as the new Neil Anderson Canopy Tour (normally $8 or $6 per person).

The Zoo Boo is a timed-entry event, so when buying tickets, you’ll need to choose a 60- or 90-minute arrival window. You can then stay as long as you want, until the zoo closes at 8 p.m. Zoo gates close at 7:30 p.m., and the Canopy Tour’s last departure will be at 7 p.m. The zoo will close to regular visitors at 2 p.m. on Zoo Boo dates so staff can prepare for the event. •••

Praise for Allouez, Lazarski

“I go to the Allouez office in Green Bay,” a customer told us recently. “Best people ever — always friendly and helpful.”

“Southwest branch manager Joline Lazarski is THE BEST,” said another.

And one more simply noted: “Very good service.” That’s how we do it. •••

Open yourself each day to change, growth

Behind many philosophies is the desire to become ever more perfect. We seek to grow, to change, to become more than we presently are. A living tradition demands our best and then some, stretching a little further each time. Welcome each day and the opportunity it offers with openness and grace.

Try this meditation for one minute today, or longer if you wish:

ASK YOURSELF: Where have I become too comfortable? Whether it’s in your career or relationship or elsewhere, awaken yourself to your boundless potential.

The joy of life consists in the exercise of one’s energies, continual growth,
constant change, the enjoyment of every new experience. To stop means simply to die. The eternal mistake of mankind is to set up an attainable ideal.
—Aleister Crowley

How did this meditation go for you? Share your experience with your fellow North Shore Bank employees at shorelines@northshorebank.com and you’ll be entered to win a copy of Mindfulness in Plain English, by Bhante Gunaratana.

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

New Hires for September 29
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Jackson Park personal banker Alexandra Calderon was born and raised in Milwaukee and previously worked as the general manager at Smart Buy Furniture. “I really enjoy spending time with my children!” she says. “I have two beautiful kids: a daughter who is currently in first grade, and my son who just recently turned 2. Being a mother is truly my passion.”

Green Bay West teller Rose Ray is from Grafton and just moved to Green Bay. She previously worked as the customer service manager at Glorioso’s Italian Market on Brady Street in Milwaukee. “It was a really great experience being a part of a family-owned and -operated business that has been around since the 1940s.” Rose loves to cook. “It all started when I was younger — I discovered the Food Network and was hooked. I always wanted to help cook however I could, whether it was handing things to my dad while he worked the grill or going by my grandparents’ to help them prepare dinner for everybody. As I’ve gotten older, the passion has only grown — and working at an Italian market sure helped expand my knowledge! My favorite thing to cook is pasta, because of how versatile it is. I’ve been told numerous times that once you’ve had my chicken Alfredo, you’ll never be able to eat it somewhere else.” •••

Welcome Party offers lots to do for Kenoshans
What’s going on with you? If you or someone in your family has a special event — a concert, show, sporting or charity event, or another important moment — send the details to shorelines@northshorebank.com. We’ll include information about select events to let your colleagues know about all the cool stuff happening with the North Shore Bank team.

Looking for more to do? Here are suggestions from the bank’s event calendar:

Our Welcome Party in Kenosha will be next Thursday, October 6, at Public Craft Brewing Company. This free event connects people who live in the city with each other and businesses and resources that make it a great place to be. There will be complimentary food samples, drinks, music, community vendors, and networking. More info and link to register here.

And our next You Can Happy Hour will be Tuesday, November 1, at Eagle Park Brewing in Muskego. As usual, we’ll have local craft beer and delicious appetizers along with a bunch of useful financial information. Nonalcoholic drinks will be available too. Featured speakers will include Muskego branch manager Stephanie Ruiz, mortgage loan originator Nik Sendelbach, and financial adviser Dennis White. More info on our Facebook page. •••