December 2018 PULSE

DECEMBER 2018

- COMING UP THIS MONTH Monday, December 3rd at 3:00 pm Kevin Connellan presenting “Watch Your Step: Preventing Falls, Improving Balance & Managing Dizziness” at Plainville Senior Center Sunday, December 9th at 10:30 am New Haven at Christopher Martin’s Christmas Run for Children

10 YEARS

of helping those in our communities...

PTSMC’s Annual Food Drive is a proud tradition. As early as 2002, with the opening of our second location in Guilford, we recognized that the communities we serve would be unique from each other. Not only is the geographic divide between Waterbury to Guilford significant, so is the medical community and socio-economic environment.

Early on we expected and encouraged each location to create relationships with local entities. Guided by our mission, varied connections emerged and began to grow. Relationship development was influenced by the partner’s leadership, the staff’s interests and the needs in the area. If you read the Pulse or follow our social media you will see our organization has a broad “foot print,” with teams throughout the state participating in local road races, community lectures, marathons, business groups, school systems, coat drives, sports teams, dance schools, golf and running clubs and recently even USA Soccer! We are proud to be ingrained in our communities.

drive and many things have changed, while others have remained the same. Over time we realized that, as PTSMC’s geography expanded, we couldn’t fit the generous donations of our people and patients into one truck.

We also recognized that the logistics of coordinating donations to a single entity were becoming complicated and that every community we serve has people in need. We came to realize that an address in Avon or Guilford didn’t mean your pantry was full; that a family, a local church, or food bank wasn’t still struggling to provide for those in need.

In 2008, PTSMC had six locations and the idea of trying to do “something big as a team” to improve the quality of people’s lives became important to us. What could we accomplish if we all pulled together? What if we asked our patients to pitch in?

From that idea, the Annual PTSMC Food Drive was born.

As I consider PTSMC’s Annual Food Drive today, I am proud that it remains an organization-wide effort, and heartened to see that offices have taken the opportunity to seek out and create relationships with local groups in need of help. I hope each staff is having a conversation about which local group that might be this year.

Since its inception, the food drive has been a great success!

Early on in the program, we would actually load a pick-up truck with non-perishable items and deliver it to the Connecticut Food Bank. We are in the middle of our tenth

If you have the ability to donate, please do. If you have found creative ways to engage others, please share. The food drive ends on December 14th – let’s do something big at all 21 locations (Admin included)!

My hope is that, as we continue the journey into the holiday season, each of us has a little extra food, friendship and love to pass around this year.

Alan

Don’t Forget!

10th Annual Holiday Food Drive November 12th - December 14th

Encourage staff and patients to participate in your food drive. Send Peter or Emily pictures of your donations!

StriveHub Fab 5 “The staff here is wonderful. Emily is a SENSATIONAL therapist.” - Branford ”Jeff & Scott are genuinely concerned with your well-being and recovery. They take the time to listen to your concerns and have innovative ways to help you in your healing process.” - New London

Congratulations to Orange!

Anthony and his team at PTSMC Orange moved across the parking lot into a new, modern facility that’s triple the size of their old location with 4,000 square feet and state-of-the art equipment.

They recently celebrated their 5-year anniversary in Orange, and are looking forward to providing extraordinary care to even more patients.

“The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.

They make you look forward to going and give you comfort that they will help you get better.”

- Southington “Steve and his team helped me to recover from a full knee replacement surgery that I suffered with for years. They challenged me every day and are responsible for me being able to live a normal and active life.” - Guilford “This is such a welcoming place, and Mike is great.

He’s friendly, helpful, and very personable. I would recommend everyone to go here!” - Middletown

CLINICIAN’S CORNER

BY ALYSSA GRIFFO, PT, DPT

Comparing Exercise Rehabilitation Programs for Glenohumeral Multidirectional Instability

Multidirectional instability (MDI) is defined as symptomatic glenohumeral subluxation or dislocation in at least two directions. However, the true prevalence of MDI is unknown. Physical therapy is recommended as the initial treatment to focus on strengthening shoulder muscles to compensate for the lack of passive stability. Surgical intervention is considered with failed conservative treatment.

However, long term outcomes of surgery are unknown due to the joint capsule’s high susceptibility to stretch.

the scapular position that the patient must retrain and maintain throughout the program. Stages progressed with an increase in load and range of GH elevation, and ended with functional and sport specific exercises.1, 2

Results showed that there was no difference between groups at six weeks, but a significant difference noted at 12 and 24 weeks. The Watson program was more In 2018, Warby et. all published the first randomized control trial that compares the effective than the Rockwood program at the 12 and 24-week follow up. effectiveness of two rehabilitation programs for non-traumatic, non-structural MDI. Research has been done to determine the effectiveness of physical therapy on MDI. Being the first line of defense for MDI, it is important for clinicians to consider the However, no two programs have been compared. 41 participants were randomly most effective treatment programs for their patients. Building proximal scapular allocated to the Rockwood Instability program or the Watson MDI program and stability is optimal for distal control to allow the shoulder joint to function adequateattended 12 weekly PT sessions. Outcomes were measured at 6, 12, and 24 weeks.1 ly. It is important to consider the length of time required for clinically significant changes to occur, as well as compliance of the individuals for a more complex The Rockwood Instability program consists of two phases that focus on strengthen- treatment program. ing the glenohumeral rotators and deltoid with the arm at low degrees of elevation. Phase 1 provides five exercises for rotator cuff and deltoid with six progressive levels of theraband resistance. Phase 2 consists of the same exercises using a 4 kg weight with pulley unit. Weights progressed in increments of 1 kg once 1. Warby SA, Ford JJ, Hahne AJ, Watson L, Balster S. Lenssen R, Pizzari T. Comparison of 2 Exercise the participant was able to progress through all resistance bands in Phase 1.1 Rehabilitation Programs for Multidirectional Instability of the Glenohumeral Joint. The American Journal The Watson MDI program consists of six stages that focus on re-establishing patient-specific scapular motor control before any rotator cuff or deltoid strengthening. Physical therapists assessed faulty scapular biomechanics and determined

of Sports Medicine. 2018; 46(1): 87-97.

2. Watson L, Warby S, Balster S, Lenssen R, Pizzari T. The Treatment of Multidirectional Instability of the Shoulder with a Rehabilitation Program: Part I. Shoulder & Elbow. 2016; 8(4): 271-278.

Student Program Update A total of 16 DPT students will successfully complete clinical affiliations with PTSMC in 2018. Read what some of our 2018 SPTs had to say: “Ali was a wonderful CI, especially for my first clinical.”

“PTSMC Waterbury was everything I could have asked for and more for my first clinical experience.”

“The clinic was very well run. The PTs were very knowledgeable.

I would send my family members there.”

“Joe as excellent in fostering learning opportunities with patients and allowing me to establish independence as a PT.” “PTSMC met all my requirements of being a very open and welcoming clinical experience. The environment and people truly fostered a welcoming learning experience that never made me feel uncomfortable or on the spot...Ted is an amazing guy and was truly a fantastic CI to work with.”

“I felt very welcomed all of the time. I got to attend a weekly journal club, which was a fantastic experience (I have not been exposed to journal clubs in the past). I was exposed to more hands on manual therapy skills compared to other clinical rotations.”

“This clinic allowed me to have much more freedom and independence with my patients which I loved... I thought this clinical had more opportunity for educational inservices hel throughout the company and the visits to MD talks.”

“Great staff and great organization that cares about and supports its staff.”

“I truly love the PTSMC organization. I find it to be a truly compassionate company and that ideology is instilled within all.”

Kudos to our Clinical Instructors and their clinics. Your hard work and belief in our PT for Life culture is what keeps our Student Program growing and offers unmatched experiences for our students.

Upcoming Courses DEDICATION RESPONSIBILITY EDUCATION ATTITUDE MOTIVATION

Email coned@ptsmc to RSVP

THIS month

Looking Ahead...

Email coned@ptsmc.com to register

December 11th 4 pm - 8 pm Exam and Treatment of the Cervical Spine Presented by Mike Gans in Guilford

Graston M1 March 2-3, 2019 Wallingford Myopain TDN TDN 1: Mar. 8-10, 2019 TDN 2: May 17-19, 2019 TDN 3: Oct. 12 - 14, 2019 Sacred Heart University

Compliance Update From Emily Hansen

As the year comes to an end, this is a reminder to all clinicians to be aware of the Medicare utilization thresholds (previous Medicare CAP). Be sure that you are attaching a KX modifier to all billing beyond $2010 in addition to a justification statement in all notes. All documentation needs to justify the necessity of skilled physical therapy throughout the course of care.

Also, please watch for an email in mid-December for the yearly compliance training for all staff to complete as an update on the latest compliance changes and reminders. This training will need to be completed by 12/31 independently. Please plan ahead to be sure that you have time to complete this 30-40 minute training individually between 12/14 and 12/31. In January 2019, we will roll out PTSMC Fire Policy and Emergency action plan. This will be completed as a 30-minute training in a staff meeting late January as an office staff!

STUDENT PROGRAM UPDATE

Dialogue for Development & Goals and Objectives Time is Here!

401(k) Participants, Did You Know?

The 401(k) Contribution limit for 2018 has been increased to $19,000 up from $18.500 in 2018.

If you are 50 years old or will be turning 50 in 2019 you are eligible for catch up contributions in the amount of $6000.

This means you can contribute the maximum of $19,000 plus the catch up amount of $6000.

You can contact Sandra Boccialetti if you would like a calculation done to see the “effect” to your paycheck by increasing your pretax 401(k) contributions.

Reminder: Employees who would like to make a change to their 401(k) biweekly contributions for the 1st quarter of 2019 must complete the request by Friday, December 14, 2018 to be effective with the January 2, 2019 payroll. Login to www.jhancockpensions.com and click on Manage and Contributions.

Employees who participate in the Dialogue for Development and Personal Goals and Objective process will be receiving a communication either verbal or email from your Director to schedule your meeting time.

Sandra Boccialetti will be emailing all employees the following information by position: D4D form to be completed Performance considerations Goals and Objective SMART format samples Want to review prior D4D’s and Goals and Objectives? They are located in Human Resources under Employee Documents. * PTSMC employees who work less than 20 hours may or may not participate in this process. Check with your supervisor.

Tips to Make your Password as Strong as Possible Make your password Long

The most rudimentary way hackers target you is to manually type in letters, numbers, and symbols to get your password. The more advanced method is to use what is known as a “brute force attack.” In this technique, a computer program runs through every possible combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. The longer and more complex your password is the longer it takes.

Passwords that are 3 characters long take less than a second to crack.

Make your password a nonsense phrase

Long passwords are good; long passwords that include random words and phrases are better. Also, do not use characters that are sequential on a keyboard such as “qwerty.”

Randomly mix up symbols and numbers with letters.

Make sure your using both lowercase and uppercase letters.

Are you aware of importance to notify HR immediately when you change your address?

Avoid using obvious personal information

If there is information about you that is easily discoverable -- birthday, anniversary, pets’ names, etc. -- don’t use them. When choosing security questions and answers, select ones that are not obvious when browsing your social media accounts.

We know during this time it may be hectic however HR should be your first contact. Your address change needs to be made in some or all of the following: Employee Navigator, John Hancock and Paychex.

Do not resuse passwords

So PLEASE let HR be the FIRST to know via email. Thanks!

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT PTSMC Patient Services Coordinator Guilford Orange Southbury Physical Therapist Assistant Southington

Physical Therapy Aide Branford Groton Guilford Middletown Orange Westbrook

Check PTSMC.com for our most up to date postings and feel free to share! We’re always interested in connecting with referrals of colleagues and friends.

uglyssweater contest This program is led by Registered Dietitian Kristen Ludwig.

By Kristen Forster

Include numbers, symbols, and lower and uppercase letters

Update Your Address with HR

Physical Therapist Avon Middletown Southbury Southington

Techy Tips

Get ready for our 2nd annual Ugly Sweater Contest! Dress your best (or worst) and Facebook will vote for their favorite attire! Mallory will send out an email soon with details. Pictured is last year’s winner: Guilford.

Last month’s trivia was...

Who was PTSMC’s FIRST employee?

B. Sandra Boccialetti

Congratulations to Christine Raffone of New Haven for winning trivia!

When hackers complete large-scale hacks, the lists of compromised email addresses and passwords are often leaked online. If your account is compromised and you use this email address and password across multiple sites, all those sites might be comprised.

Post your Picture to your Email and Paychex Acount 1. Click on Profile

Paychex

2. Click on “Update” next to your initials 3. Browse for your pic 4. Insert and crop to circle 5. Click on “Save”

Email

1. My accounts 2. My profile 3. Click camera to to add a photo then upload your picture

PTSMC Happenings Left: Waterbury PSCs Stevie Fell and Carol Corbo dropped off coats and sweaters to the Waterbury Salvation Army.

Below: Fred Havlicek, Partner & Director of New Haven donated coats to the Vertical Church in New Haven.

He’s pictured with Jessica Miner from Gould Law.

Avon threw a party to celebrate Assistant Director Emily Hansen’s 40th birthday!

Social Media Sensation!

Christine Raffone, PSA New Haven

Thanks for sharing pictures of New Haven’s Thanksgiving celebration, (right), patient appreciation giveaway (left), and Fred delivering New Haven’s coat drive donations (above).

12 Days of PT

By Catie Canetti, Guilford Patient On the first day of PT my therapist gave to me, An eval and diagnosis.

On the ninth day of PT my therapist gave to me, Nine more appointments, Eight minutes of Graston, On the second day of PT Seven "find your centers," my therapist gave to me, Six dry needles, Two minute stretches, Five exercises. and an eval and diagnosis Four pound weights, Three sets of ten, On the third day of PT Two minute stretches, my therapist gave to me, and an eval and diagnosis.

Three sets of ten, Two minute stretches, On the tenth day of PT and an eval and diagnosis. my therapist gave to me, Ten minute warm-ups, On the fourth day of PT Nine more appointments, my therapist gave to me, Eight minutes of Graston, Four pound weights, Seven "find your centers," Three sets of ten, Six dry needles, Two minute stretches Five exercises. and an eval and diagnosis.

Four pound weights, Three sets of ten, On the fifth day of PT Two minute stretches, my therapist gave to me, and an eval and diagnosis Five exercises.

Four pound weights, On the eleventh day of PT Three sets of ten, my therapist gave to me, Two minute stretches, Eleven "which side is its?" and an eval and diagnosis.

Ten minute warm-ups, Nine more appointments, On the sixth day of PT Eight minutes of Graston, my therapist gave to me, Seven "find your centers," Six dry needles, Six dry needles, Five exercises.

Five exercises.

Four pound weights, Four pound weights, Three sets of ten, Three sets of ten, Two minute stretches, Two minute stretches, and an eval and diagnosis. and an eval and diagnosis On the seventh day of PT On the twelfth day of PT my therapist gave to me. my therapist gave to me, Seven "find your centers," Twelve grad t-shirts, Six dry needles, Eleven "which side is its?"

Five exercises.

Ten minute warm-ups, Four pound weights, Nine more appointments, Three sets of ten, Eight minutes of Graston, Two minute stretches, Seven "find your centers," and an eval and diagnosis.

Six dry needles, Five exercises.

On the eighth day of PT Four pound weights, my therapist gave to me, Three sets of ten, Eight minutes of Graston, Two minute stretches, Seven "find your centers," and an eval and diagnosis.

Six dry needles, Five exercises.

Four pound weights, Three sets of ten, Two minute stretches, and an eval and diagnosis.

PTSMC Patient Success

Y A D I HOL S E P I REC Brickle

40 (or so) Saltine Crackers 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup butter 1 pkg (12 oz.) choc. chip mini morsels 1 pkg crushed Score or Heath bars Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line full size cookie sheet with foil.

Place saltine crackers on cookie sheet (5 in a row, side by side). Melt butter; add brown sugar, stirring constantly. Bring mixture to a boil. Boil exactly 3 times. Pour mixture over saltines and spread out.

Bake for 5 minutes. Sprinkle Choc. chips on top, let sit for a few minutes until chips are soft. Spread chips out over crackers (use back of large spoon). Sprinkle crushed Score/Heath bars on top. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Break it up. Don’t cut it...

Sandra Balavender - This recipe is special because our friends used to spend Christmas with us and make this dish until they moved to Virginia. It was such a hit I started making it after they left.

Chex Mix

3 cups wheat, corn and rice Chex (9 total) 1 cup lightly salted cocktail peanuts 1 cup small pretzels 6 tablespoons of butter 1 teaspon seasoned salt (Lawry’s recommended) 3 tablespoons of Worcertershire sauce Melt butter, add salt and sauce and stir Add dry ingredients Mix with wooden spoon Microwave 2 minutes, mix again Microwave 2 minutes, mix again Microwave 2 minutes Spread out on a paper towel to cool and allow the ingredients to take in the spices.

Wait 10-15 minutes, enjoy and make another batch!

Best part - the mix gets more flavorful with time.

Sandy Wickman Mason - Growing up, my mom always made Chex Mix at Christmas time. Interestingly, when I met my husband, HIS mom always made Chex Mix too, although the MASON mix had different variations than the WICKMAN mix. We won’t even get into the oven baked vs microwave debate! Now my kids have the luxury of the Wickman mix AND the Mason mix as they have grown up. It has always been associated with Christmas.

Everyone seems to have their own favorite part: Mallory and l love the wheat Chex. Marissa is a pretzel fanatic!

Jeremy says he is not a fan, yet, when he and the mix are around, the bowl seems emptier!

S tuffed Calamari Baked S tuffed S hrimp 1 tbsp garlic powder 60 Ritz crackers 1 stick butter, melted 1 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley Black pepper to taste 20-24 uncooked Jumbo shrimp

Preheat the oven to 375 F. Put the Ritz crackers in a zip lock bag and crush the crackers with a rolling pin or glass until quite coarse. Add to large bowl. Stir in melted butter, parsley, garlic powder and pepper. The mixture should be fairly dry but should just hold together. Taste, and add, as needed, more garlic powder and pepper. The crackers are salty, so you won’t need salt.

To prepare the shrimp: Remove the shell and tail. Turn the shrimp with the outside of the curve facing up. This allows the shrimp not to curl when cooking and easier to eat. Butterfly the shrimp by running a sharp paring knife along the length of the inside, cutting down but not all the way through. You should be able to flatten the shrimp and scrape out any black veins.

Place the shrimp cut side up in a baking dish. Using either a melon scooper or tablespoon, mound one tablespoon of cracker filling on the shrimp. Bake at 375 F uncovered for 20 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked and the stuffing is slightly browned on top.

Sandra Boccialetti - Growing up a Christmas Eve tradition for our family was lots of fish dishes. My favorite for all these years has been baked stuffed shrimp.

1 pound fresh peas shelled (to yield 3/4 cup shelled) 1 package pre-cleaned calamari (about 2 1/2 lb total) save tentacles for filling 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes 1 cup fresh bread crumbs Salt to taste Freshly-ground black pepper to taste 1/3 cup finely-chopped Italian parsley 1 cup dry white wine and 1 cup pasta sauce mixed together Set aside 1 cup Basic Tomato Sauce Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a 12- to 14-inch sauce pan, heat the oil until hot. Add chopped calamari tentacle pieces and cook until opaque. Add the peas, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes and stir through, about 1 minute.

Add bread crumbs and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper and add parsley. Allow mixture to cool. Stuff bread mixture into each calamari until full and close by threading a toothpick on the open end.

Place in a 12- by 8-inch earthenware dish (just large enough to hold calamari and sauce). Add wine and tomato sauce and stir to settle. Bake for 35 minutes, then remove, and serve. (Makes 20-25 small stuffed Calamari) Mike Gans - My family does the feast of the seven fishes Italian Christmas Eve meal. My contribution is the stuffed calamari.

Admin's Favorite !

Recipess Anisette Cookies 1/2 cup butter or margarine 1/4 cup shortening 3/4 cup granulated sugar 4 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 5 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons anise extract

Glaze: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 2-4 tablespoons milk Red food coloring (optional) Melt butter and shortening together. Add the sugar; mix well.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Mix in the anise extract. Sift or whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to creamed mixture gradually. If the dough is too sticky to roll in the palm of your hand, add flour until firmer, but it should be very soft.

Roll dough into small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes (bottom should be lightly browned but tops should remain light). Remove the cookies to wire wrack and cool completely before glazing. To make the glaze mix milk gradually into confectioners’ sugar and add food coloring (we make them pink). Dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze and return to racks with newspapers under to catch any drips.

Emily Fillion - My mom, grandma, sister, and I used to make cookies when I was a kid. Now I make them for everyone, and these are my favorite.

Boulevardier

2 oz. Bourbon or Rye Whiskey 1 oz. Campari 2 Drop walnut bitters Garnish with an orange or lemon twist Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish.

Easy!

Peter Decoteau - The Boulevardier is my favorite autumn-winter cocktail. It’s got a boozy and semi-bitter flavor -- perfect to warm you up on cold nights!

To Die for Blueberry Muffins 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 1 1/2 cup frozen or fresh blueberries Topping: 1/2 cup white sugar 1/3 cup flour 1/4 cup butter, cubed 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven 400 degrees F. Grease muffin cups or use muffin liners.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder.

Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups right to the top.

To make crumb topping: mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Butterscoth Birds' Nest

Sausage Bread

Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large skillet, take the sausage out of the skin. Fry in a little olive oil, pulling it out as you go. When almost browned, add the garlic (don’t burn the garlic).

1 12 oz bag butterscotch morsels 1 tablespoon shortening 1 12 oz bag chow mein noodles ~1 cup peanuts 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

1 pizza dough 1 packgae of sausage (hot or sweet) 1 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach 5 or 6 cloves of chopped garlic Bag of shredded mozzarella

Place butterscotch morsels and shortening in a microwave safe bowl and heat on 50% power for 45 seconds. Remove and stir.

Return to microwave on 50% power heat for another minute or until morsels are melted. If you prefer, you can melt butterscotch morsels with a double boiler instead.

Add the frozen spinach and saute until soft.

Drain the spinach and sausage mixture in a colander. Let stand. Then stretch out the pizza dough to a cookie sheet size. Add the sausage mixture and sprinkle the cheese liberally. Fold the dough over and pinch the sides to seal.

Stir in chow mein noodles and peanuts until combined. Take 2-3 tablespoons of mixture and form into a ball and place on parchment paper. If you desire, using your thumb you can push down the center to fill with goodies such as M&M’s or Hershey Kisses.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes and then slice.

Set aside until butterscotch hardens. If desired, melt semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels and drizzle over birds’ nest.

Alan Balavender

Kristen Forster

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until done.

Donna Baribault - This recipe is perfect for Christmas morning, or any time. They are even better if you make them a day or two ahead of time.

Potato Soup

Pignoli Cookies

1 15-ounce can gluten-free almond paste finely crumbled 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons honey Pinch of ground cinammon Pinch of fine salt 2 large egg whites 1 lemon, zested 1/2 to 3/4 cups of pine nuts Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line sheet trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

In the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with the paddle attachment, beat the almond paste on high speed until it is really broken up. Add the confectioners’ sugar and mix on slow speed until well combined.

Add the honey, cinnamon, salt, egg whites and lemon zest and beat on medium speed until the mixture is well combined and very thick, about 5 minutes.

Fill a disposable pastry bag with the dough. Push the dough towards the tip and cut the tip off the bag. Pipe 1-inch balls onto the prepared sheet trays. Top with the pine nuts, pressing them into the dough to secure. Bake until the cookies are golden, 12 to 14 minutes.

Christine Rasile - These are my favorite cookies that my mom and I make.

5 lbs potatoes 3 tablespoons butter 3 cups chopped leeks (white only) 4 tablespoons minced garlic 2 1/2 quarts chicken broth 3 cups chopped onions 1 cup chopped shallots 1/2 gallon of heavy cream Use a half stick of butter to cook chopped onions, leeks and shallots in a deep soup pot over medium heat. When cooked, add minced garlic for 2-3 minutes.

Peel and slice potatoes into quarter inch slices. Add broth to pot, then add potato slices. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes. Use a hand blender to blend until smooth.

Wonton Taco Cups Ground beef Shredded cheese Salsa Taco seasoning Wanton wrappers

Preheat your oven to 375 F. Spray a muffin tin with a nonstick spray. Cook your ground beef in a large saute pan. Mix your taco seasoning and salsa in with your ground beef.

Line each muffin tin spot with a wonton wrapper.

Add about 1 tbs of taco meat to each cup. Top each cup with 1 tbs shredded cheese.

Tina Boccialetti

Add salt and pepper to taste. Add heavy cream or half and half until desired taste and consistency.

Ryan Balavender

Thanksgiving in a Blanket 1 tube refrigerated crescent rolls 3/4 c shredded roasted turkey 3/4 c prepared stuffing 3/4 c prepared mashed potatoes 1 c cranberry sauce 1/4 c prepared gravy, warmed (for serving)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out Crescent Rolls. Top with mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing and cranberries - a spoonful of each. Roll up and transfer to prepared baking sheet.

Bake until golden 12 to 15 minutes. Serve with gravy for dunking.

Jenn Detlefsen - I love this recipe because it puts a twist on Thanksgiving leftovers!

Life Beat Holiday of Lights - get in the spirit this year by visiting one of Connecticut’s holiday light experiences!

Here are a few of the best exhibits throughout the state:

NEW EMPLOYEES

Welcome to PTSMC. We’re so happy to have you!

Lake Compounce Holiday Lights Lake Compounce Theme Park 186 Enterprise Drive, Bristol

Hundreds of thousands lights and exciting holiday activities transform the park into a magical winter wonderland! Festivities include a spectacular light show.

Holiday Light Fantasia Goodwin Park 1120 Maple Ave, Hartford

Drive through two miles of lighted animations that celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year’s and Three Kings day. You’ll experience a wonderland of more than one million lights.

Fantasy of Lights

Megan Burke

Lighthouse Point Park 2 Lighthouse Road, New Haven

Winnie Eleteny

Westbrook PT Aide

Groton PT Aide

Be dazzled by an enchanting land of sparkling light displays with more than 100,000 lights. This includes more than 60 attractions that include animated and LED light displays.

Lantern Light Tours

Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic

Experience an evening of seasonal surprises that takes you back to the year 1876. The show includes five scenes of seasonal delight, a winter fantasia, and a visit with old St. Nick all while traveling on a horse drawn wagon and viewing the lights of the docked ships.

Worldwide Community Lights Celebration Stepping Stones Museum for Children 303 West Ave, Norwalk

Stepping Stones Museum for Children’s iconic entrance, tented courtyard, and glass corridors will be transformed into a hi-tech work of art during their first celebration.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Travis Lytle Ken King Alan Balavender Christian Santana Danielle Butsch Meagan Hoffman Ted Fifield Alison Rivera Mallory Mason Rob Bass Juliann Chacko Jenna Hancock Alyssa Griffo Michael McGowan Tina Boccialetti Bryan O'Neill Christine Raffone Scott Cameron Mary Clark

1 3 4 5 5 5 5 9 9 16 18 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 31

Avon Westbrook Admin New Milford Admin Westbrook Watertown Naugatuck Admin Admin Orange New London East Hampton Windsor Admin New Milford New Haven Westbrook New Haven

Ken King

Westbrook PT

ANNIVERSARIES

Jane Rosadini Mike Antunes

Guilford Middletown

Ashley Claud Emily Searle Cara McEvoy Elena Masiello Mia Martinez Heidi Klein-Robbenhaar

Occupational Therapist Partner

Avon Branford Branford East Hampton Wallingford Wallingford

PT Aide Physical Therapist PSC PT Aide PT Aide PSC