Know any good jokes? Share one for April Fools’ Day
Next week’s Shorelines comes out on April Fools’ Day, so let’s take this opportunity to tickle our funny bones. If you’ve got a favorite joke — whether it’s a good one or a real groaner — send it in for a chance to win a prize.

Here’s how it works:

• Your joke must be clean and work-appropriate.
• Send it to shorelines@northshorebank.com by noon on Tuesday, March 30.
• The first 10 qualifying entries will each win a candy bar of the submitter’s choice, or some other treat of similar price and availability.

We’ll run the jokes we receive next week. Looking forward to a lotta laughs! •••

Jay McKenna named to Treasury bureau committee
The United States federal government has tapped North Shore Bank president Jay McKenna to serve on the Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Mutual Savings Association Advisory Committee. Jay is one of only 10 leaders of financial institutions across America to be selected for this role.

The committee keeps an eye on the state of the American mutual savings association industry and offers input to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. With $2.5 billion in assets, Jay says, North Shore Bank is the largest mutual institution represented on the committee, and also the only one from the upper Midwest.

“But we all have in common our unique governance structure in mutuality, which — as I tell new employees at orientation sessions — allows us to focus on long-term objectives with an emphasis on our customers, employees, and communities,” Jay adds.

The committee will meet three times per year — virtually the first time, but then in person in Washington, D.C., as the COVID-19 pandemic gets under control.

“Jay’s experience in the industry made him a stand-out candidate for the Mutual Savings Association Advisory Committee, and we are excited to have him represent the mutual charter and Wisconsin institutions on OCC’s committee,” said Wisconsin Bankers Association president Rose Oswald Poels.

“Appointment to this committee will allow me to share feedback with regulators in Washington about ‘conditions on the ground’ and how policies are impacting our business,” Jay says. “It is great recognition for North Shore and shows the respect for our bank within the leadership of the OCC.” Congratulations, Jay! •••

Food drive raises over $23,000 for pantries

Our February food pantry drive — part of the Bank on Kindness initiative to spread goodwill in our communities — raised over $23,000 for local hunger-relief efforts in Wisconsin. See photos and read more about the results!

Pulaski food drive starts Monday
The Pulaski branch is holding a food drive starting next Monday, March 29, through Saturday, April 10, to benefit Pulaski Community Pantry. The branch will give an additional 50 cents for each item donated, up to $250.

Members of the public can drop off nonperishable food items at the branch. There is a particular need for canned meats such as tuna fish, chicken, and stew, as well as other protein sources like peanut butter. •••

Seymour Salutes and Rising Stars for February 2021
February’s winners of our SOAR awards are Debra Jones, Shannon Quinn, Wendy Repka, DJ Hostettler, and Danny Slattery. Read more about their achievements here!

Baumer, Brookfield Square deliver top-notch service
SVP consumer credit sales Mike Kellman received this very nice email from someone he knows, praising Brookfield Square’s branch manager and her team:

I just wanted to recognize Maria Baumer and the retail staff. They have just been great as I move accounts out of my previous financial institution — professional, courteous, helpful. The opposite of my old bank! Kudos and thanks.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone at the branch! •••

Let yourself be fully present where you are

You have come to exactly where you are meant to be. Everything in your life has led to this moment. You can’t change that, so practice just being here, noticing where you are.

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

BE FULLY PRESENT IN THIS MOMENT. Resist the urge to let something else have your attention. Bring yourself to the present, again and again. Can you feel a calm there, a centering?

This meditation was adapted from A Mindful Day: 365 Ways to Live Life With Peace, Clarity, and an Open Heart, by David Dillard-Wright. How did it go for you? Share your thoughts and feelings in Shorelines and you’ll be entered to win a copy of the book!

If you would like a FREE daily email reminder to do one minute of mindfulness, email us with the subject line “Mindfulness reminder.” •••

New Hires for March 25
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

New Berlin bank teller Megan Wacker is from Milwaukee and previously worked as a lead teacher for a day care. “My Hogwarts house is Hufflepuff — which means I’m a hard worker, patient, loyal, and play fair,” she says. Her favorite book in the Harry Potter series is The Goblet of Fire. “I love the whole idea that there are multiple types of magic school and that they get together to compete in a competition.” •••

Video tellers surprise Nancy Salas with shower

Her fellow video tellers recently surprised Nancy Salas with a baby shower, bringing in gifts, flowers, and treats. And then new son Josiel was born last week, joining an older brother at home with mom and dad. “This baby brother is going to be very loved, especially by all of his North Shore Bank ‘moms,’” video teller manager Justin Kasten said. He added that everyone is healthy and happy. Congratulations to Nancy and family! •••

What is an explanation of benefits?
You know when you get a letter from your health insurer that looks like a bill, but isn’t? (It might even say “THIS IS NOT A BILL” at the top.) That is an explanation of benefits, also known as an EOB.

An EOB is simply a record, from your health insurer, of how your healthcare claim was processed. You can compare it to the bill you receive for the same claim from a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare provider. If anything looks different, you should call the member services number on your insurance card and let them know. UMR’s Healthy You magazine put together a short explainer on EOBs, which you can read online here or download here as a PDF. •••