Employees JULIE
M M E R 2 0 2 4
A Message from Mark
GROUND BREAKING GROUND BREAKING News News
As most of you know, I love live theater, and I especially love musical theater.
As I previewed this edition of the employee newsletter, it made me think of one of my favorite musicals, Grease This musical has everything for me, a nostalgic look at a time gone by (the 1950's), great music, a storyline that everyone can relate to (high school), and an uplifting message! In the case of Grease, it is the message of graduation and all the possibilities that can follow
The show ends on the school grounds as the annual end of the school year carnival is in full swing and summer break/vacation has begun Summer is in full bloom across our state We have been especially fortunate, so far, to enjoy many warm and sunny days, followed by cooler evenings.
Summer provides us the longest days of the year, with plenty of time for cookouts, road trips, and time to do something special just for yourself. This edition of the newsletter provides tips to make those road trips more enjoyable, your cookouts to be the talk of your family and friends, and all sorts of updates on many of our coworkers. There is even some recent nostalgia added in, with a great collection of photos from our recent 50th Anniversary celebration.
Enjoy the newsletter and enjoy our Illinois summer you deserve it!
EMPLOYEE FEATURE Ginny Baker
Payroll Admin/Records Tech
Tell us about your family?
I am an only child and the youngest in my extended families, I am lucky to be close with my aunts and grateful for my amazing mom and dad
What do you love about working at JULIE?
Blah blah blah - LOL
It is inspiring to be a part of a company that is a leader in the one call industry and makes a difference every day Knowing our services contribute to keeping communities safe across the state is incredibly motivating Everyone has been so kind and supportive I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute and make a positive impact alongside our wonderful team
What are some fun va you have been on?
What do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies?
Biking, hiking at the Morton Arboretum, and in the winter I enjoy snowshoeing.
Attending musicals, concerts, and sporting events I enjoy a wide variety of podcasts and documentaries
Spending time with family and friends
I often visit my Aunt and Uncle in San Diego There is so much to do with a beautiful view I went to Ireland & London in 2008 with the Marching Illini and back to London with my mom in 2022 I look forward to going back and also have Iceland, Greece, Italy, and more on my bucket list I have been to the Northwoods of Minnesota and Wisconsin I love being out on the lake
What are some interesting facts about you that people may not know?
Can play (almost) every instrument.
Grew up competitively figure skating and was a coach for 10+ years.
Have taught over 1,000 kids how to play a band instrument.
Worked at Apple as a Technical Specialist, Genius Admin, and People Operations Planner.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them if you do.
I have never had a pet! But I adore dogs I hope to foster/transport/volunteer with a dog rescue or shelter group I am also interested in training service dogs
SEASONAL TIPS
GR LLING1101 01
1. START WITH QUALITY MEAT
The key to delicious grilled meat starts with the quality of the meat itself When shopping for your meats, look for cuts that are fresh, well-marbled, and preferably organic or grassfed This will ensure that your BBQ is bursting with flavor from start to finish
2. SEASON GENEROUSLY
Don’t be afraid to season your meats generously before grilling them A good dry rub or marinade can take your BBQ to the next level by adding layers of flavor and complexity. Experiment with different combinations of spices, herbs, and sauces until you find one that suits your taste buds.
3. USE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT
When it comes to grilling meat, having the right equipment is essential for achieving perfect results every time. Invest in a high-quality smoker or grill that allows you to control temperature and smoke levels effectively. Additionally, make sure you have all the necessary tools such as tongs, spatulas, and thermometers on hand
4. COOK LOW AND SLOW
One of the secrets to perfectly grilled meat is cooking it low and slow over indirect heat This method allows the flavors to develop slowly while keeping the meat tender and juicy throughout the cooking process Be patient and resist the temptation to crank up the heat for faster results – trust me, it’s worth it in the end!
5. LET IT REST
Last but not least, always allow your grilled meats to rest before serving them up hot off the grill. This step helps lock in juices within the meats resulting in moist and flavorful dishes. Always cover them as loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 10 to 15 minutes before slicing into it. This will guarantee that every bite is juicy tender, and packed full of smoke fl !
HUMAN RESOURCES
Taking Time for You
By Dwight Klein | Director of Human Resources
Take a minute to think about your daily routine and see if any of this sounds familiar. You work your shift, tend to the household chores, head out to the grocery store, take any kids in your life to activities seemingly everywhere, walk the dog and then through it all, manage to take care of your family Somewhere in between this busy life, you catch your favorite show or spend time visiting with a friend or neighbor Maybe you are even able to squeeze in some fitness activity now and then Where does all the time go?
These are all important tasks to help support us in our own lives and that of others However, is there any time that you have dedicated just to yourself? Regrettably, we let a lack of time and other commitments get in the way of taking care of the most important person in your life, which happens to be you. Maybe that sounds selfish, but it is necessary for our own well-being. When we take on an activity or hobby that is of strong interest to ourselves, can you guess what happens? You actually can become a happier person
Let’s say that one activity you enjoy is reading. This is not a reference to scanning through what you find on the internet or on social media. This is the type of reading, for example, where you can get lost in a story or adventure. Unfortunately, we just can’t find the time because something else is more pressing I had this same challenge What I discovered is that reading was too important to me to just push it to the wayside and I needed to find a way so I did As an early riser, sometimes I will hit the gym Other mornings are now spent with my nose in a book After figuring this out, these days I enjoy reading more than ever You decide what the activity should be but think about how it makes you feel when you are able to do the things you want Feels pretty good, doesn’t it?
Coming up with roadblocks which prevent us from taking time for us seems to be pretty easy. There is always something else on our plate that is a priority. Time is just one of them that has to be balanced out in all of this. (Remember, we all get the same amount of time each and every day) Sometimes it takes cash and that’s not always available But does everything that you want to do for yourself require funding? Maybe you want to spend more time with family or friends? How about learning something new online, where there are plenty of free classes available There might even be a volunteer group that you wish to be part of Most of the books I read come from my local library and you know the cost of that The beauty in any of this is that you get to decide, and when you are finally doing what you want, it can’t help but feel good.
We all do a lot for others and that’s a good thing. Just remember that this life is also about someone important… you. Take time for you, today
EMPLOYEE HAPPENINGS
Charlotte Hazel was born on April 26 at 7:45 am weighing 6 lbs to Call Center Agent Kiley McEvilly and husband Sean She joins big sister Maddie.
Director of Marketing and Communications Kevin Chmura completed the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb in Chicago. Twice!
Executive Assistant/Accounts Payable Clerk Tina Blankenship’s daughter, Heather, graduated in May from Aurora University with her BSN degree At her school’s pinning ceremony, she was given the “Clinical Excellence” award, the University’s highest nursing student honor. She recently passed her State NCLEX test and has her official RN license She has been accepted into the Edwards Hospital RN mentoring program and will be starting her new position in August
Director of Finance Ryan Horne’s daughter, Jenna and her fiancé Rodahn Evans (from Healy, Alaska population 900) are engaged!
Call Center Chief Operator Kendra Cummings’ oldest son Payton, is having a baby girl in just a few weeks, making her a first time grandma!!!
Call Center Agent Liz Gron completed her first 5K on June 30 The Lazy River 5K was held at Splash River Water Park in Aurora and included 15 laps against the current in the lazy river. Way to go Liz! Watch JULIE Connect to read about her experience
Previous employee, Lauren Denewellis (Call Center Manager Vicki Denewellis’ daughter-inlaw) gave birth to baby Nora on March 26th
Vicki D. also has a second new addition to the family a new puppy called Sweet Pea She joined their family on June 7th.
