Season’s greetings to all! As we wrap up another year of building strong foundations, both on the job site and in the community, we want to thank you for your continued trust and partnership. December brings a chance to reflect, celebrate our progress, and gear up for the projects ahead. Wishing everyone a safe and joyful holiday season. Have a Happy New Year and we will see you in 2026!
FEEDBACK
This newsletter is published to keep connected to one another and see everyone’s projects and different activities happening here at Dondlinger! If there is something you want to see in the newsletter, please send me your feedback! Thank you all for your continued work and support!
Emily Nietzel | Marketing Coordinator
NEWEMPLOYEES
There is a reason that Dondlinger Construction is a leader in the construction industry. It’s our people. We rely on the leadership, expertise, and drive of our employees to create the many bridges, highways, buildings and structures that are part of the Kansas skyline. Each employee at Dondlinger plays a key role in the success of this company.
Shawn Wietrick Carpenter/ Spring Hill
Tanner Roberts Foreman
Evan Allen Laborer
Gilberto Flores Laborer
Aldo Flores-Mendoza Laborer
Manuel Flores-Mendoza Laborer
Aaron McGairty Sr. Laborer
TJ Love Laborer
Zander Muglia Laborer
Brent Schultz Laborer
Gael Urbina-Ballesteros Laborer
Keenan Millington Operator
Mathias Dahlman Project Manager
Pete Chaves Superintendent
TREAT YOURSELF... and others
VIRAL CANDIED CRANBERRIES
What you need:
• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 12 oz lemon-lime soda (ex: Sprite)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
How to make:
• Place fresh cranberries in a medium bowl. Pour soda over the top until just covered. Cover with lid and refrigerate over night (about 12 hours).
• The next day, drain all the liquid from the cranberries. Make sure no soda remains, or the powdered sugar will clump instead of coat evenly.
• Add 2 cups powdered sugar to a large resealable gallon bag. Pour in the drained cranberries, seal tightly, and shake until every berry is coated.
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spread sugared cranberries into a single layer. Bake for 7 minutes, this sets the sugar coating without bursting the berries.
• Remove from the oven and allow cranberries to cool completely. Once cooled transfer to a bowl and garnish with a few fresh cranberries.
BIRTHDAYS &ANNIVERSARIES
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Jose Aguilera 12/3
Jayden McQuilliams 12/6
Amber Patten 12/7
Jenny Dooley 12/8
Mark Lorenz 12/8
Jarrod McCullough 12/9
Mark Helten 12/10
Sirhan Chavarria 12/13
Raymond Dondlinger 12/17
Derrick Whillock 12/17
Elizabeth Sisk 12/18
Brad Napper 12/19
Adam Doll 12/20
Amber Miller 12/20
Jose Sevilla Gaytan 12/22
Jesus Gomez Rodriguez 12/24
Vincente Medina Moreno 12/28
Manuel Olivares 12/28
Matt Forbus 12/29
Baliee Zink 12/29
Zink
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
New
OPEN ENROLLMENT REMINDER
Reminder that open enrollment for health, dental, and vision plans need to be completed and returned to Elizabeth Sisk by December 15th, 2025. If you are keeping the same coverage that you currently have, no action is required.
New this year, is the “My Health Novel” program. Refer to page 16 to learn more!
This month, we’re focusing on the importance of keeping your ESOP Beneficiary forms up to date. While it’s never easy to think about the “what-ifs,” having accurate beneficiary information is essential. It ensures your wishes are honored and provides clarity and peace of mind for your family should the unexpected occur.
What happens if I die while working for the Employer?
If you die while still employed by the Employer, then your vested account balance will be used to provide your beneficiary with a death benefit.
Who is the beneficiary of my death benefit?
Married Participant: If you are married at the time of your death, your spouse will be the beneficiary of the entire death benefit unless an election is made to change the beneficiary.
OWNERSHIPOUTLOOK ESOP
* If you wish to designate a beneficiary other than your spouse, your spouse must irrevocably consent to waive any right to the death benefit. Your spouse’s consent must be in writing, be witnessed by a notary or an plan representative and acknowledge the specific non-spouse beneficiary.
Unmarried Participant: If you are not married, you may designate a beneficiary on a form to be supplied to you by the Administrator.
Divorce: If you have designated your spouse as your beneficiary for all or part of your death benefit, then upon your divorce, the designated is no longer valid and you will be treated as not having a beneficiary.
No Beneficiary Designation: At the time of your death, if you have not designated a beneficiary or your beneficiary is also not alive, the death benefit will be paid in the following order of priority to:
a) your surviving spouse
b) your children, including adopted children in equal shares
c) your surviving parents, in equal shares
d) your estate
** If you do not have a Beneficiary set up, you want to update yours or you have any questions, please contact Tyson Hirt (thirt@dondlinger.build) and he will provide you with the resources to do so!
ACTIONSHOTS
Ellsworth Bridge | Ellsworth, KS
Project Manager | Matt Inlow
General Superintendent | Mark Wisner
Superintendent | Carlos Silva
The project replaced the existing 4 span concrete box girder with a new 4 span steel beam bridge. The bridge is on K-141 highway over the Union Pacific Railroad. The railroad has been the biggest challenge of the project. They require specific submittals and work procedures that are above and beyond KDOT requirements. If an item of work is within 25 feet of the centerline of the railroad tracks it can only be performed when they allow it. An example was the demolition of the existing bridge, the only time we could work was over the night during a weekend. We are shooting to have all of the concrete work complete by the end of December.
FROM THE VAULT
These newspaper clippings date all the way back to 1904, when N.L. and Dominic Dondlinger worked on the original Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Claflin, KS. The lot for the church was purchased for a remarkable $177, and the final cost to build the first Catholic Church in Claflin totaled $4,000.
Though the original structure no longer stands, its story continues, Dondlinger rebuilt the church in 1949, carrying its legacy forward for future generations.
The Church Today:
‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE TOASTY
When the temps drop and your office feels more like a walk-in freezer, the trusty space heater becomes your new best friend. But before you turn your office into a tropical paradise, here are a few hot tips to keep things safe and cozy.
Go for the pros. Only use heaters approved by a NRTL (that’s a fancy way of saying “tested and safe”). Bonus points if it has auto shut-off and tip-over protection, because accidents happen.
Give it some space. Keep at least 3 feet of clearance around your heater, it needs room to breathe!
Keep your distance. Yes, it’s tempting to sit right on top of that thing, but stay at least 3 feet away to avoid overheating yourself. (Nobody wants a heat rash as a fashion statement.)
Plug it in right. Always plug your heater directly into the wall, no extension cords or power strips. They might not be able to handle the heat (literally).
Stay on heater watch. Never leave your heater unattended. When you leave the room or call it a day, turn it off. Your office plants will thank you.
Do a quick check-up. Inspect your heater regularly for frayed cords or any suspicious damage. If it looks or smells sketchy, retire it before it retires you.
Channel Improvements | Park City , KS
Project Manager | Calon Trulove
General Superintendent | Derrick Whillock
Superintendent | Tanner Matt
This is one of our largest box culvert settings to date. Totaling to over half a million pounds!
ACTIONSHOTS
RIBBONCUTTING
Scott Gelwick with his family
Project
Mitch O’Neill, Scott Gelwick, and Manny Velazquez
MYHEALTH
NOVEL
Our company only works if you do. That’s why we want to make sure our employees have all the access to programs that can help them maintain a healthy and quality life. This year, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers additional resources for our employees in many different areas that may apply to you.
What is My Health Novel?
It’s a virtual network of resources, with optional “chapters” designed to address conditions that can be challenging and costly.
These chapters include:
Weight Management
Musculoskeletal Issues
Behavioral Health
Women’s Health
Digestive Health
Starting in our January Newsletter, we will be taking a deep dive into all of these chapters and what they have to offer to our employees and how you can take advantage of this resource!
CTRL+TIPS
Santa’s not the only one with speedy shortcuts this season! While he’s double-checking his lists, you can double-tap your way to faster, easier tech tips. Let’s unwrap this simple little shortcut that can save you big time.
Your iPhone 15 has a secret button... on the back!
With back tap, you can trigger actions just by doubletapping or triple-tapping the back of your phone.
Here’s how to set it up:
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap
Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap
Pick an action; Screenshot, Flashlight, Camera, or even launching an app
Next time, just tap the back of your phone and boom, instant shortcut!
- Works through most cases, though extra-thick/rugged cases may reduce sensitivity.
GETTING READY FOR WEATHER WORK WINTER
FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA
• Hypothermia is a potentially fatal condition caused by loss of body temperature.
• For example, exposed skin can start to freeze at just 28 degrees Fahrenheit and deep frostbite can cause blood clots and even gangrene.
• Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, confusion, getting lightheaded and profuse sweating. Without medical treatment the victim can lose consciousness and die.
WEAR THE RIGHT GLOVES FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING
• Gloves should have enough insulation to keep you warm and prevent frostbite, but be thin enough so you can feel what you are doing if you are manipulating controls or tools.
• Gloves which are too thick can also make your hands and wrists work too hard trying to hold on to objects, causing possible repetitive strain injury.
DRESS IN LAYERS
• Layers of light-weight clothing keep you warmer than a single layer of heavy clothes.
• Remove layers as necessary to prevent overheating and perspiring which can lead to chills or hypothermia later
• Wet clothing is 20 times less warm than dry clothing
• Wear a hat. As much as half your body heat can do up in steam off the top of your head
• Protect your ears from frostbite
• Check your winter wardrobe for entanglement hazards such as scarves, loose sleeves, and dangling drawstrings.
Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.
EYE PROTECTION
• Keep your safety eye wear from fogging up in the cold. Use antifog coatings and wipes that are appropriate for your eye wear
FOOTWEAR
• Look at the soles of your winter footwear. Your shoes or boots should have adequate tread to prevent slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces.
• Slow down when walking across slippery surfaces and be especially careful on ladders, platforms, and stairways
EAT UP!
• This does not mean a high fat diet, but one with enough calories and nutrients to give you the fuel you need. Always start with a hearty breakfast
REST
• Get plenty of rest. Working in the cold and even traveling to and from work in the winter takes a lot of energy. Be sure to pace yourself when shoveling snow.
Did you know that 70% of deaths during snow or ice storms occur in vehicles? It pays to carry blankets or sleeping bags, matches, candles, a snow shovel and sandbags, a flashlight, and non-perishable food such as cereal bars, in case winter storm sidelines you in your vehicle.
We found Chris Peterson operating some pretty heavy equipment out at EP!
IN NOVEMBER...
Matt Forbus, Chase Swenson, and Eric Swenson along with Waters Edge accepted the CPG Excellence in Concrete Award for the Tony Aguirre Pool.
We may have caught a glimpse of Dozer the Elf flying around at the Hub on his way back to the office from the North Pole...
DONDLINGERPERKS
Discount
items in-store only and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
FREE PASSES
To these locations:
Historical Museum Aviation Museum
Reach out to Tawny Vo if interested!
You and your family are eligible for discounts such as: 35% off Accessories, 22% off NonUnlimited Data Plans, $5 off Unlimited Plans with Auto Pay, and additional discounts available for first responders, teachers and other eligible groups.
You can earn up to $1,000 for every person you refer who is hired!
