2022 DGS – WRAPS UP FISCAL YEAR WITH “COMFY”!

On Wednesday, 9/27, the entire office was invited to help clean up and organize the massive file room. Together we boxed, sorted, and moved files. There is no better way to build a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared by the fellow office workers than wearing comfy clothes for the day and spend time physically working closely together for a common purpose. A pizza lunch was provided after we had sweated and earned the proverbial paper cuts together.

But, the “comfy” didn’t stop there. To celebrate wrapping up FY22 and to say thanks for everyone’s efforts, DGS Director, Joe Dimaco, Assistant Director, Sandra Gill, and Sara Page, Fiscal Services – Director, joined us for breakfast the following morning. We were all entreated to comfort foods like 3 types of casseroles, fresh fruits, and bagels – our choice of comfort. Once everyone had arrived and Sandra set up the buffet, Joe thanked us for getting through a tough fiscal year. We were able to sit around the table; chat about those things we all had in common, like foods we did or didn’t like; growing up with our grandparents; and similar experiences with, for example, the shingles or the injection to prevent shingles.

Experiences such as these make for a wonderful memory that will carry us to the next year’s fiscal closing. I can hardly wait for next fiscal year’s “comfy” memories.

Ray Alexander Dept. of General Services Sr. Grant Acct.

Alt Text: group of people sitting around a table with food on it

Virginia Department of Veteran Services

At Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, we hold multiple burial services daily, and have held as many as 18 interments in one day. This is a team effort involving a grounds crew and an administrative crew. We must work together to meet our mission daily.

One of Horton’s newest Team Members is Carla Johnson. Carla started with the Virginia State Cemetery in Suffolk on September 12th as a part time Cemetery Representative/Funeral Coordinator. She is a wonderful addition to the Horton Team, working with funeral homes, families, veterans, and the military to render services, with honor, dignity, respect, and remembrance daily. We are so happy Carla chose to work for the Virginia Department of Veteran Services, Cemeteries Division with Albert G. Horton, Jr. She has such a positive spirit in handling sensitive situations with grieving families. Although Carla is still in training, she is quickly adapting to her new role and responsibilities. Carla is a valued team member and we hope she continues to stay with us, supporting all the veterans and families who share an interest in (Link to) Virginia Veteran Cemeteries.

Angela Bufano Superintendent

Virginia Dept. of Veterans Services

Alt Text: Carla Johnson being trained by Cemetery Representative/Funeral Coordinator, Tiffany LaVoun

Alt text: a lake and mountains landscape. Text on picture reads how glorious greeting the sun gives the mountains! by John Muir

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Say Hello!!! Greet Everyone!!! Greeting is the Key To Communication and Triggers Positive Vibes!!!”

The Importance of “Greetings” Such greeting can be so powerful that it can even turn a frown into a smile and drastically put you in a good mood. Greeting is one of the basic functions of communication and triggers positive conversations. It helps us connect to people at a more personal level. A hello can make friends of two strangers, it can bring a smile to someone who is alone. A hello can change how we feel about a person, place and ourselves. Notice it when someone says it to you and say it back!

Felicia Shelton Virginia Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS)

“Speak to all those you come into contact with. This is what gets me through each day as well as create a sense of COMMUNITY/UNITY within the Office of Weights and Measures Team and here at VDACS”