Kids thrilled to start school year
Here are more back-to-school pics! If you’ve still got some to share, we’ll run one more set next week. Send them to shorelines@northshorebank.com or text them to 608-318-3348. Include your name and the name of each kid in the picture, what grade they’re heading into, and a few words about what they’re excited for this year.

Forest Home assistant branch manager Marie Cruz’s son Isias just started seventh grade. “He hasn’t been in person since March 2020,” she said. “He was so excited to be back. He does have to wear a mask in the classroom and is not excited about that, but he understands why it’s necessary. He is also very excited to get involved in sports. He likes to play basketball and baseball, and is looking forward to both.”

Shorewood branch manager Shannon Weber’s daughter Izzy had her first day of first grade. “She was so excited to get back to school and to see all of her friends,” Shannon said. “We are so blessed.”

Senior financial accountant/analyst Kristin Monday’s sons Sam and Henry began third and first grade. “They’re both excited to be back with friends!” she said.

Credit analyst Cathy Swanson’s boys Hunter and Tony started fourth grade and 4K last month. “Tony was excited to join his older brother at school,” she said. “Both of them were so excited for school to start.”

District manager Cristen Baumann’s daughter Brianna started eighth grade and son Alexander started sixth grade. Three-month-old Tia, in Brianna’s arms, hasn’t enrolled yet.

VP compliance manager Kristen Gagliano shared these “not-quite-back-to-school” pictures of her kids at the Kenosha County Fair last month. Griffin, a junior, and sophomore Brenna showed and sold beef steers. Griffin and seventh-grader Asher showed and sold pigs; and all three kids showed and sold turkeys. “It was so nice to get back to the fair after last year’s was canceled due to the pandemic,” Kristen said. “The kids worked hard with their animals, and the fair was great!”

Union Grove teller Staci Ryan’s son Logan began fourth grade this year. “He loves school, and loves to learn and be around his friends,” Staci said. But 2-year-old sister Hailie is a little sad that he’s gone during the day.

Green Bay East assistant branch manager Kari Tuyls’s son Max started kindergarten. “He is super excited and said he cannot wait to learn EVERYTHING,” she said.

And Burlington branch manager Robin Callis has one more grandson starting something new this year, as Harrison heads into daycare. “He is loving it and the daycare teachers LOVE having him there,” she said. “They say he is every daycare worker’s dream! He is such a happy boy! He didn’t even care that Mom and Dad left.” •••

Greendale’s Marus retires, branches help with car show

Greendale teller supervisor Lynne Marus retired last week, after almost 20 years with North Shore Bank. The branch celebrated her new chapter with cake, flowers, and decorations.

Employees from our Racine branches staffed our table at the Racine Zoo’s 25th annual Car, Truck & Bike Show on August 15. “Every year we participate,” branch manager Lisa Brooks said. “It’s a fun event that brings out people of all ages, and it was a beautiful day.” Northside assistant branch manager Cathy Straka agreed: “It was nice to get out into the community again and interact with new and existing customers. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves!”

And don’t forget! The Shorewood Feast returns this Saturday. While dinner tickets are sold out, there will still be plenty of food and fun. •••

Find the space between thoughts, become more at ease

We all have so much mental chatter, all the time. Notice it? Can you go a few seconds without latching onto any of these thoughts, finding the space between them?

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

I EXAMINE MY MIND and become more at ease with it, less prone to frustration and anxiety.

How did this meditation go for you? Share your thoughts and feelings in Shorelines 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.” —Pat Ingelse, AVP and PMP •••

Promotions for August 2021
The following employees have been promoted:

• Kayleigh Marshall was promoted from Video Teller to Senior Video Teller.
• Angelica Padilla was promoted from Mortgage Loan Originator Associate to Residential Loan Administrator.

Leave a comment to congratulate them!

New Hires for September 9
It’s always exciting to add new members to our team. Here are some of the fresh faces at North Shore Bank.

Greendale personal banker Kevin Esser is from New Berlin and previously worked for Walgreens as an assistant store manager. “My wife and I love to travel the world!” he says. “We got engaged in Greece and were supposed to honeymoon in Malta, but that had to be canceled due to covid.” Instead, the newlyweds toured Lake Superior last August. •••