Mindful Minute: Gratitude Challenge Week Three

Your Zen minute: There is always something to be grateful for in each day. Choose to see those things. Make a difference in your own day — I bet you will then make a difference in someone else’s!

Twelve days into our Gratitude Challenge… how are you doing? Are some topics easier than others? Hopefully, you are seeing there really are some wonderful things in your life that you should be thankful for. Onward, group! Here are your prompts for this week:

• Day 13: What was one of your very best days? What made it so great?
• Day 14: What are your favorite smells?
• Day 15: What is a place you feel cozy and secure?
• Day 16: Who is someone who believes in you? Share this exercise with them when you’re done. Let them know the impact they have.
• Day 17: What is an activity you love to do?
• Day 18: What is something that relaxes you?

Northland personal banker Kelly Kading has been doing the Gratitude Challenge and sent this note: “I love this stuff. It calms me down and helps me focus and reflect. I feel more energetic, and it makes me realize that I have a lot to be grateful about.”

If you are participating in the Gratitude Challenge and willing to share how it’s going, please let us know at shorelines@northshorebank.com. More prompts next week — we’re grateful for the opportunity to share this with you! —Pat Ingelse, AVP, PMP •••

Busy days at Germantown, with shredding and more

A lot has been going on at our new Germantown branch! Here’s what’s been happening.

The branch hosted its very first Shredding Day event on October 23, giving the public the opportunity to drop off sensitive documents for secure disposal, as well as enjoying refreshments on North Shore Bank.

Germantown also partnered with the St. Boniface Catholic Parish food pantry this summer to collect nonperishable food donations for Wisconsinites in need. “We were able to collect three boxes of food, as well as donate $500 on behalf of North Shore Bank,” branch manager Erica Hughes reported. “The parish typically is able to feed 50-plus families on an annual basis through donations and participating partners.”

The Germantown branch’s coin drive to raise funds for the Germantown Library was a smashing success — we ended up with a total $1,407.05 to donate. •••

Damman’s daughter lends hand at Greendale

Franklin assistant branch manager Samantha Damman’s daughter Layla, 5, helped out recently at the Greendale branch’s birthday celebration. “Layla stood out in front of the table and made sure that EVERY single person walking by was offered something,” Sam said. “She is not shy and is definitely going to be in sales when she grows up!” •••

Photos of the Week: Fall biking, chamber pics, hockey

Here’s what North Shore Bank employees and their families have been up to lately!

Senior mortgage lender Steve Luebke shared this lovely photo from a bike ride he took with wife Amy last weekend. “It was a beautiful ride on the Oak Leaf Trail near Grant Park,” he said.

When the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce asked member businesses to share photos to post on Facebook, Muskego branch manager Stephanie Bluemel answered the call. The chamber said, “We are thrilled that we could capture these smiling faces.”

And Franklin assistant branch manager Samantha Damman shared this photo of 5-year-old daughter Layla, who started hockey last weekend. “She started ice-skating about two and a half years ago and then went to her first Admirals hockey game in early 2019, with tickets we got from North Shore,” Sam said. “At that game, she told me that she wanted to play hockey when she got older. Since then, she has done ice-skating lessons and went to some of the Southeastern Hockey Association of Wisconsin ‘Try Hockey Free’ events, which allow kids to try hockey before signing up. She also is part of the Admirals’ ‘Roscoe’s Crew’ and has been able to ice-skate with the team and meet them for pictures and autographs. Now that she is old enough and still wants to play, we got her signed up. She said she was a little nervous at first, but then they starting playing games, so she started to skate faster. Because of covid, parents are not allowed to stay and watch practice, which I believe works better for Layla, as she isn’t distracted then.” •••

Soft drinks are hard on teeth! Keep smiles fresh
Some useful reminders from the Wisconsin Dental Association!

Watch your soda intake — and especially how much your kids drink! Soft drinks are becoming a daily habit for an increasing number of people, especially kids and young adults. These sugary drinks are now a leading cause of tooth decay.

Sugar in the soda combines with the bacteria in your mouth to form acid. Acid in soft drinks, whether they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakening tooth enamel. Bacteria in your mouth can then cause cavities when tooth enamel is damaged. And if you have a receding gum line, acid does more damage below the gum line than above it. This is a big concern especially for adults.

Here are some ways to reduce decay:

• Drink soft drinks in moderation.
• Never drink them before bedtime because the liquid pools in your mouth and coats your tongue and teeth with sugar and acid.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth.
• Get regular checkups and cleanings to remove the bacteria buildup. Floss, too!

Keep your mouth happy! •••

The best kind of feedback
“Wish that everybody’s service was as good as yours.” That comment came from a customer feedback card shared by SVP consumer credit sales Mike Kellman. Let’s keep up the great work! •••

Service Anniversaries for October 2020
The following employees celebrate a milestone anniversary with North Shore Bank this month.

40 years
Lauri Lunde, District Manager

35 years
Kathleen Tetzlaff, Commercial Loan Servicing Analyst

15 years
Yvette Jankowski, Commercial Loan Specialist
Claudia Romo-Verdin, Assistant Branch Manager, Jackson Park

5 years
Craig Cortez, Commercial Portfolio Manager
Penny Foust, VP, Commercial Treasury Manager
Silvia Reyes, Universal Banker, Jackson Park

Leave a comment to congratulate them!