The
Village VIBE
Village of Bald Head Island Employee Newsletter
Fourth Quarter 2022 Issue 7
Employee of the Year 2022! This year's Village of Bald Head Island the Employee of the Year award goes to Sebastian Alamond, IT Assistant in the Information Technology department. Sebastian has worked for the Village since June of 2014 but has worked on the island off and on in various roles since he was in middle school (2001/2002)! Sebastian’s role is behind the scenes and his internal customers are appreciative of the excellent customer service he provides. Below are a few comments from Sebastian’s peers.
“Sebastian always makes himself available to help with anything. It doesn’t matter if it is a simple cell phone issue or a major PC issue. He is always right there to help. A huge asset to the Village!”
“Sebastian helped the IPC/PO earlier this year during a time of much-needed reorganization.
Employee of the Year
SEBASTIAN ALAMOND Congratulations Sebastian!
He worked many hours for several months and showed professionalism, teamwork, and dedication.”
T he Annual Village Employee Holiday Luncheon was another
festive affair where employees gathered to share a delicious meal to kick-off the holidays. This year we dined on enormous steaks, salad, garlic bread, baked potatoes with all the fixings, and an assortment of pies. Each employee received a gift (a soft, cozy blanket and keepsake ornament) and the Employee of the Year, Sebastian Alamond, was announced. Overall, all had a good time, and we memorialized it with a group photo!
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The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 7
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An Update on Lt. Barger's Experience with the Tuition Assistance Program
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Lieutenant Steven Barger was interviewed for the Village Vibe last year (Issue 4) because he is a longtime participant in the Village's Tuition Assistance program. Since then, he graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Fire and Emergency Service Administration. He intended to follow up his BS with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the University of Missouri but had to make a quick pivot to another program because the tuition estimates were not consistent with the tuition he was going to be charged. Instead, Lt. Barger will be attending Columbia Southern University this spring (starting January 25). He will be pursuing a Master of Science degree in Fire Service Executive Leadership, Occupational Safety, and Health. Although he is now on a different path, this course of study will prepare Lt. Barger for more advanced leadership roles. He is pleased to see the program grow within the Department of Public Safety. He’s enjoyed the conversations with co-workers on what classes they have taken and they have often assisted each other. “I recall times when PSO LeBer would assist me in a math class I was in so I could better understand a concept. Captain Gibson and I have shared books from class that enrich our skills outside the course itself.” He added, “the program opens up many opportunities for us all to better serve the island and play a larger role in our agency.” Lt. Barger thanked the Village for the support which has made his continuing education possible and said that he is very grateful. "In an instant gratification world, many workplaces don’t provide this type of assistance to employees and I’m a firm believer it’s a retention tool.”
About the Program
Full-time employees are eligible to receive up to $3,000 per fiscal year based on the successful completion of classes (defined as a final grade of C or better). Covered costs include tuition, books, lab costs, and student fees. Requests for tuition assistance are submitted to the Human Resources Office prior to course registration and are subject to the review and approval of the Department Director and Village Manager and are subject to the availability of funds. Funds are currently available for this fiscal year and will be requested for the next fiscal year.
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 7
Lt. Barger was recently featured in the Winter 2022-2023 issue of South Brunswick Magazine as one of Brunswick County's "FUTURE 10" leaders.
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Forget New Year’s resolutions this year. Try this instead! By Michelle Rogers, CPT, BCBSNC Point of Blue
(Shortened slightly)
H e a lt h y Tips
As we enter into a new year, we are once again reminded of New Year’s resolutions. Resolution lists typically consist of the ways you wish you were different than you are today. Two of the most popular resolutions are to lose weight and get in shape. So you buy an expensive membership and hit the gym with the rest of the resolution crowd. And on midnight January 1st you start on that diet “for good this time.” Often these new endeavors only lasts a matter of days or weeks at most, until someone realizes it’s too hard and they don’t want to do it anymore. Then they feel like a failure. It seems many people have had enough of that. In fact, January 17th was declared national Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day on a calendar website. Things seem to be evolving on the resolutions front. More people are realizing that the old ways just don’t work for them. After going through the pandemic, they are also re-evaluating what’s important to them. A survey last year revealed that one-third of people were skipping making resolutions. But of those who do plan to, “more than half (60%) noted an interest in improving their overall well-being, with 44% noting a focus on physical health and 31% on their mental health.” As the survey suggests, people are taking stock of what’s valuable in their life and what their priorities are in a world that is still dealing with a pandemic. The good news is people seem to be embracing a holistic view of well-being that includes both their physical and mental health. And perhaps, we’ve all just had enough. So here’s an idea. Maybe, this year, ditch those traditional New Year’s resolutions and try a different approach instead. What if you make this year the year of self-care and focus on your overall well-being? This comes from a place of love and caring for yourself, rather than focusing on your shortcomings. Here are some resolution alternatives to consider. Instead of: Working out to lose weight
Do this: Exercise to be healthier, stronger and less stressed
I used to be one of those people who thought the only good reason to exercise was to lose weight. And yes, exercise is beneficial for weight loss. But during my healthy living transformation when I started exercising regularly, I came to realize that it’s about so much more than that. Because of exercise I started to feel like a whole new person, physically and emotionally. When you change your motivation from focusing on just the scale, incredible things can happen in your health and well-being. There are so many physical and mental benefits of exercise! Think about how you will feel when you are more active and fit. Imagine yourself with more energy, being less stiff and sore, feeling less stressed, sleeping better, and feeling more alert and energetic. To get started with exercise, you can keep it simple. Find something you like to do and do it. Schedule the time so that you can make it a daily habit. For example, walk every morning after breakfast. Pick something doable. The best exercise is the one you will do! Another great way to get started is to sign up for a class or work with a personal trainer. With these methods, you have support and aren’t on your own. Many people are more successful with professional assistance. READ: Exercise from home with online classes (plus two free options!) Instead of: Getting more done
Do this: Get more sleep
Do you prioritize rest? It’s one of the most beneficial things you can do for your well-being. Insufficient sleep is linked to the development and management of a number of chronic diseases and conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression (CDC). There is even a connection between sleep and your appetite. Poor sleep makes you hungrier, causing you to eat more calories. Sleep impacts two important hunger hormones, ghrelin and leptin. Without enough sleep, the body makes more ghrelin and less leptin. And besides, when you are tired, everything in your day just seems harder. One in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep, which is critical for good health (CDC). It’s recommended that adults should get at least seven hours of sleep per night. Continued on Page 6
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The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter- Issue 7
EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES Employee
Department
Hire/ Rehire Date
Shaw, Dustin Harris, Michael
Public Safety Public Services Public Services Public Safety Public Services Public Safety Public Safety Administration Public Services Public Safety Public Services Public Safety Public Safety Public Services Public Services
10/01/2014 10/02/2006 10/14/2002 Became FT 10/26/2016 4/8/2018 10/28/2020 10/29/2014 Came back FT 10/29/2014 11/04/2020 11/13/2019 12/02/2020 12/08/2008 12/09/2020 12/15/2010 12/30/2005 12/30/2005
Wooten, James Sudderth, Chip McCann, JP Dellinger, Travis Gibson, Joshua Kesmodel, Michelle Craven, Corey Adams, Michael Mintz Jr., David Gray, Elizabeth Swanson, Paul Ingram, Kenneth Trott, Charles
E M O C L E ! D W OAR AB
Years of Service 8 16 20 6 2 8 8 2 4 2 14 2 12 17 17
John Johnson - Public Works Specialist - 10/26/22 Peter Joyce - PSO/Paramedic - 11/2/22
HAPP Y BIRT HDAY! JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Alan May 12 Jacob LeBer 20 Christopher Carter 27 Judy Schofield 31
Stephen Boyett 5 9 Junior Adkins Darcy Sperry 14 Charles Hylton 18 Gina Hinson 19 20 Matthew Furr Nick Hugh 25
Steven Williams Josh Gibson David Morales JP McCann Chip Sudderth James Wooten
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 7
5 12 14 17 31 31
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Instead of: Dieting Do this: Eat nutritiously
Continued from Page 4
One of the reasons dieting doesn’t work is because you’re either on the diet, or off the diet. That’s too restrictive and not sustainable for most people. Doing this leads to yo-yo dieting and weight gain, not to mention a sense of failure and feeling out of control over your health. Instead of going on another diet that won’t work long-term, focus on nutrition and making healthier food choices instead. I recommend you start by making one small change at a time, and then build upon that over time. Healthier changes include things like choosing baked over fried foods, cooking at home rather than eating out, taking your own lunch to work instead of grabbing fast food, or cutting back on sugar. Choose one thing that is doable for you, and focus on that for a week. The next week add another small change, and so on. This is the method that worked wonders for me. When you are practicing healthy habits consistently, weight loss tends to follow naturally. And the benefits of good nutrition go far beyond the scale. I can vouch for this from personal experience. When I started eating better, I started feeling better. If you need assistance, meet with a registered dietitian to customize a nutrition strategy that works for you. It may be covered under your health insurance plan. READ: Why you should quit dieting — and how to ditch it for good Instead of: Putting off happiness until you reach a goal Do this: Practice gratitude, where you are This one really hits home for me. Used to be, I thought if I could just reach a certain weight goal then I’d finally be happy with myself. I was living for a future that never came during that time, because I couldn’t stick with restrictive dieting. Does that sound familiar? What if you start being happy with yourself right here, right now. Yes, you may have areas you are wanting to improve, but come at it from a place of love and care. That’s a radical mindset change formany of us. Focusing on gratitude, instead of what you lack, canhelp you get to where you want to be. This might not come naturally. Sometimes, we have to make up our mind to be grateful on purpose. It turns out gratitude can be good for your health. According to a recent study, people who were more grateful had lower blood pressure and heart rate, as well as greater feelings of appreciation toward others. One way to get started is to keep a gratitude journal and each day write something you are grateful for. Another idea is to start a gratitude jar. Each day, write something you are grateful for on a small slip of paper, and add it to the jar. When you are feeling down, read them. Let’s make this year a year of love and well-being. You’ll look back this time next year and be so glad you did. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. When you are healthy and feel your best, you are better able to do everything in life. That benefits all the people who depend on you, too.
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The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 7
Baby Picture Contest! Can you name the Village employee in the picture below? Email or text the correct answer to: cfaulkner@villagebhi.org or (910) 368-6338. If you have the correct answer, you will be chosen in a drawing of all of the correct answers received by January 27, 2023. If you have a baby picture to submit for a future contest, please send them to Carin at the email or text number above.
Where did you grow up? Born in Michigan, moved to Southport when I was 15. What do you like to do for fun? Paddleboarding/spending time with family. What is your favorite food? Pizza/Breakfast
STEPHEN PEVARNIK The baby from last issue was
CHRIS McCALL Chris grew up all over because his dad was in the service. One of the places he lived as a young kid is Japan. For fun, Chris enjoys time off and spending it with his family. When asked what his favorite food is, he said, "anything off the grill."
The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 7
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Welcome to the Family! Nick Hugh and his wife are the proud parents of Eric Daniel Hugh, who was born on July 14, 2022. He weighed 6 lbs. and 7 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Congratulations to the HUGH family!
VILLAGE HOLIDAYS Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Good Friday Memorial Day Juneteenth
Monday, January 16, 2023 Friday, April 7, 2023 Monday, May 29, 2023 Monday, June 19, 2023
When the FY23 budget was adopted, TWO holidays were added! Juneteenth (Monday June 19, 2023) and a floating holiday (you can pick an unobserved holiday, your birthday, or any other day off - with supervisor's approval - please mark "FH" on your timesheet for tracking).
We want to hear about you! This is YOUR newsletter. Tell us about your hobbies! Do you compete in competitions outside of work? Is your family growing? New child/grandchild/pet/engagement? Is your child/grandchild about to graduate? Do you have some amazing recipes? Do you volunteer? Tell us about it! Send information to: publicinformation@villagebhi.org or text (910) 368-6338 Submit your photos
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We need your baby/early childhood photos for future contests. Send them to the email or phone number above! The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 7