Skyline Newsletter August, 2010

1. Skyline Newsletter August, 2010 NEW EMPLOYEES are… Erica Fosdyck, Robin Hunter, Katie Arterberry, Judy Barnett, Brittney Jewell, Jodi Medendorp, Kelly McCartney and Amber Olson. All of these ladies are Direct Care Managers. Our new RN is Elizabeth Howe. Please make them all feel welcome!!! Calendar of Events August 10th - CPI Recert August 12th - CPI New August 16th – 20th Orientation “ 16th & 30th Mandatory Reporter August 17th & 31st Annual Training “ 18th Brain Injury August 21st - LUMBERKINGS game August 30th – Sept 3rd Orientation The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern. Rue McClanahan Employee Birthdays 3rd – Rick Olson 4th –Tari Goepfert 24th – Melanie Kalyan 4th – Paulette Lynch 27th – Kristy Winter 7th – Josh Hickey 28th – Karen Dykstra 16th – Kelli Wing 28th – Holly Bielema 18th – Amy Stoddard 28th – Pam Flynn 20th – Kendra Roth 30th – Erin Mahler OUR SYMPATHY to…….…. SUE DAU. Sue’s father, O. M. “Curly” Austin passed away on Friday, July 23rd . He was 85 years of age and lived in Des Moines, Iowa. Our Best Wishes go out to you and your family. Good Bye & Good Luck to all of our Summer Employees who are returning to school or other seasonal jobs......hope to see you all next year!! Employee Anniversaries for August are… 12th – Teresa Dolph 18 “ Yr 17th – Holly Bielema 5 “ 20th – Jeff Marsh 25 “ 20th – Julie Kremer 20 Yrs 23rd – Carmen Graham 4 “ 26th – Candie Schipper 14 “ 29th – Lisa Hammond 22 “ 31st - Sue Anderson 1 “

2. SCI and Day Habilitation Attendance Award Winners ……….. There are so many dedicated workers at SCI, that we can not begin to list all of you!! Thank you for your hard work. CONGRATULATIONS to each and every individual who had Perfect Attendance for the month of July, 2010!!! SKYLINE EMPLOYEE of the MONTH is…………. CONNIE M. Connie is awesome! She helps anyway she can with no complaints. She is always taking initiative to get things done and stays on top of things even if it means going the extra mile. She sometimes works long hours for many days in a row and also has come in many times on short notice. She works well with all the individuals and staff she has contact with. Connie is a great role model when it comes to keeping a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She is greatly appreciated for everything she does. CONGRATULATIONS CONNIE for being chosen Employee of the Month for August, 2010!!!! HEY U GUYS!! Marilyn has been so graciously keeping the candy dish filled in the front office. It’s such a nice treat for all of us to have a that piece of candy when your having that sweet tooth attack. Now, we all know she doesn’t have to do it!! BUT, it would be nice if we all donated a bag of candy every now and then. You ask why…………………….. Because giving is good for the heart and soul…….it would make you feel good to help out! Just think about it. Thanks……………Tracy P.  Day Hab Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while.

3. Did You Know??? • That Camanche Days are August 12-15….FUN; • That the replica of Nina & Pinta will be in Clinton; • That Bettie H’s shoe strings match her shirt; • That now Tracy L had trouble with exploding taco sauce..it’s her magnetic personality; • That the $25 gift cards for the Wellness incentive will be available after we receive everyone’s signed sheet; • That the Ringling Brothers Circus is coming to the I Wireless Center on September 2nd ; • That Megan R has been back “in the building”; • That adding a little milk, just to make it cloudy, to your boiling water for corn on the cob, makes the corn sweeter…..try it; • That cucumber peels will repel ants; • That Ann was in the beautiful South Carolinas but she is so glad to be back with us;  • That the Lyons Filling Station & Fulton Locker have cook outs on Friday through August; • That the Mississippi Valley Fair has a great lineup of entertainment again this year; • That tying together several pieces of chalk & hanging them from the closet ceiling with help prevent mold and mildew by neutralizing humidity; • That Barb K has been a big help with the Day Hab computer & it’s really appreciated; • That Genoa, Nebraska is the home of the Winnebago American Indian tribes; • That seasoning meat a couple hours before cooking, then patting it dry makes for a tasty, tender meat; • That Dani & Teresa turned Nashville up side down & they are ready to go back next year; • That 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot; • That Abilene, Kansas has a Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo August 4-7 with professional cowboys competing; • That Jacque Mc’s bark is worse than her bite; • That “Mark Twain & the Laughing River” is being presented at the Clinton Showboat August 3 & 10; • That Nick W is a good, quiet presence here; • That Tiffany B does an awesome job, we’re glad to have her; • That whatever you want to do, do it now; there are only so many tomorrows; • That the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long,5,000 feet deep and 18 miles wide; • That a Tribute to Elvis, with special guest Coupe DeVille will be at Wild Rose Casino August 13th ; • That Chrissy K is a real character; • That carving of trees into figures is really neat; • That 4-H clubs are still great for children to join; • That you can polish house plants with citrus juice; • That the Pueblo Indians were the first people to live in the Grand Canyon region; • That Sandy B is already thinking of Christmas; • That Aug 13th there is music at the Riverview Park Bandshell from 5-8p.m.; • That Shelly is the Day Hab “Yo-Yo”; • That baby rattle snakes are born with poisonous venom and teeth; • That Joan has a new love…”Oliver”; • That Pork is the world’s most widely eaten meat; • That Greenville, Ohio is celebrating Annie Oakley’s 150th birthday August 10th ; • That a lot of us need their daily dose of candi; • That you clean silver by pouring Lemon Juice onto the piece & polishing with a clean soft cotton cloth; • That Caprice answers to Celeste & Clariese; • That it is almost time for school to start..already; • That one way to untangle jewelry is to set in it a shallow dish of baby powder then work out kinks; • That a conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good; • That E-Doc training is up and running; • That “baby oil” will make a stainless steel sink look superb – just squirt a little on a paper towel & rub in; • That Jeff’s puppy dog has a new playmate; • That the early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese; • That Carlyn A has a new “do”; • That to remove grass stains, dab with rubbing alcohol & blot with a clean white cloth – repeat if necessary; • That when things seem to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something;  • That Spirit Lake is the largest glacier-made lake in the state of Iowa; • That before Louis Armstrong became famous for his music, he was a juvenile delinquent in a Boy’s Home; • That although shark attacks get a lot of attention, the number of people killed by elephants is far more; • That front loading washing machines use less water; • That rubbing pewter candlesticks with cabbage leaves will preserve their classic sheen; • That Barb Enlow-Miller gave me some good house- hold hints to print….thanks; • That if you bury apple peels in the soil around flowering it will boost the bloom; • That Ben Franklin was the proud owner of the first bath tub in the colonies; • That to de-scum your shower door, spray a soft, cotton cloth with cooking oil spray and then just wipe the gunk away; • That there is a “Biggest Loser” camp in Utah & anyone can attend if your willing to pay the large fee; Enjoy the rest of your summer!!

4. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!!! Day Hab wants to thank everyone who has helped out in any way this past month. We were so short handed and a lot of you stepped up and gave us a hand. It was really appreciated!!!! FOR SALE Men’s 21 speed Trek 820 mountain bike - 19.5” - like new. Call 563-259-4401 $75.00 or best offer Also For Sale - Washing Machine (ask Chrissy for info) LOOKING FOR Good, used living room furniture. Call 563-212-5476 Myths and Facts About Lightning Scientists have been studying lightning for hundreds of years. Although they have a pretty good idea about what causes it, there is still more to learn about these mysterious sparks of electricity. Given that summer is peak season for thunderstorms, it’s probably a good idea to brush up on your lightning facts, particularly if you have some outdoor adventures planned. Tornadoes and hurricanes are more dangerous than lightning. MYTH: Lightning kills more people (about 58) each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. In act, it is the most underrated weather hazard, according to the National Weather Service. Only floods are routinely responsible for more deaths than lightning. You can get struck by lightning when you’re inside. FACT: It’s true that being inside a building when lightning strikes is your safest bet, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some precautions. Stay off of corded phones (cellular & cordless are ok) and away from running water. You need to unplug major electronics in a storm. FACT: Electrical surges generated from lightning can damage electronics even if your house isn’t struck. Unplug your computer, television and other electronics before a storm hits because you can’t necessarily depend on a surge protector. You should avoid cars during a thunderstorm. MYTH: Cars are actually one of the safest places you can be in during an electrical storm if you can’t be inside a building. Just make sure you’re in a car with a hard top. Lightning never strikes twice. MYTH: Lightning can hit the same spot more than once during a storm. It’s not safe to be outside during an electrical storm.FACT: If you’re outside, then try to find a grounded building or car to take cover in. If you can’t, then here are some tips to minimize your risk: 1) avoid open fields and tall isolated trees or other tall objects. 2) stay away from water. 3) don’t lie down on the ground. You should stay indoors until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. FACT: Most people are not struck at the height of a thunderstorm, according to the National Weather Service. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from where it is raining, but if you can hear thunder you are within striking distance. Thanks Jeff for sharing this information.

5. CELEBRATE the ADA July 27th the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act was celebrated at the Clinton County building. A couple of our managers were in attendance along with some of our individuals. One of our individuals even had the opportunity to speak with a representative sent by Senator Harkin. It was a nice celebration. Senator Harkin was the big force behind the ADA bill. This landmark civil rights law seeks to ensure equality rights and opportunities for the more than 54 million Americans with physical and mental disabilities. America has made great strides that’s to the ADA, but the work is not yet done. The principles of the ADA – equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency – provide the foundation for all the Senators work on disability issues. The Senator believes that it is important to ensure that individuals with significant disabilities have the choice of living in their own community, among family and friends instead of being institutionalized. No individual should have to forfeit their ability to live in the community because he or she needs help getting out of the house or assistance with personal care or any other basic requirement. That’s why he is the chief sponsor of the Community Choice Act, which would increase the availability of personal attendant services for persons with significant disabilities and for older Americans. In addition, Senator Harkin is pleased that the provisions of his bill, the Money Follows the Person Act, have become law and that many states, including Iowa, are receiving grants to help people who wish to transition out of institutions and nursing homes. Continuous efforts are being made to improve mental health services and serious progress continues to be made on this issue. Happy 20th Anniversary ADA!!!! Life is the first gift, love is the second & understanding the third. You owe it to us all to get on with what you’re good at. Recipe of the Month…………. CROCK POT MEATLOAF 2 ½ lbs ground beef 1 cup bread crumbs ½ of an 8 ounce jar of salsa 12oz. pkg mixed shredded cheese 1 pkg. taco seasoning 2 tsp. salt 1 egg slightly beaten ½ tsp pepper Combine all ingredients except half of the taco seasoning. Mix well. Shape into loaf and place into your crock pot. Sprinkle with remaining taco seasoning. Cover and cook on low for 8 – 10 hours. Thanks Dawn!! EASY BUNDT CAKE 1 pkg chocolate cake mix 1 can of coke or cherry coke (diet can be used) Mix these two ingredients thoroughly. Grease the inside of a bundt pan (a regular 9x13 can also be used) Bake according to directions on cake box. When done and cooled, garnish with strawberries, kiwi (or any fruit of choice), top with light Cool Whip and serve. Very Good!!

7. June, 2010 Attendance Award Winners Andersen, Sue Blackburn, Chris Campbell, Jo Castle, Andrew Davis, Robin Fletcher, Carissa Flynn, Pam Frederick, Gail Green, Miranda Haley, Bettie Leary, Lori Loncar, Barb Marshall, Angie Medenblik, Connie McDermott, Lisa Means, Teresa Milburn, Barb Olson, Rick Pantoja, Christine Schreiner, Carrie Schroeder, Tonya Stickell, Sharon Story, Mallory Sturtz, Melissa Struve, Margaret Suckling, Dee Thomas, Nivia Williams, Theresa Winter, Karen

8. Small Ways YOU CAN make a Huge Difference this summer. The real-life parents who inspired the move “The Blind Side” want to help you and your family change the world around you, one simple step at a time. You never know how an act of kindness can change a life. When we reached out to high school student, Michael Oher and gave him a home, we didn’t realize it would matter to anyone except the three of us. Lord knows, we never thought we’d be attending the Academy Awards with Sandra Bullock, who would win an Oscar for playing Leigh Anne in a movie! There are so many Michael Ohers in this country, walking on the streets, close to falling through the cracks. We just need to be more cognizant of those around us. Society pretty much had deemed Michael valueless. Through a random act of kindness, we offered him a simple ride that turned into changing a life. If good things can continue to happen from our little story, we can certainly keep doing our part. We’d like to help you do yours. Here are some small ways you too, can help out and make a big difference in someone’s life: TRUST YOUR GUT. The first step is to “want to help”. You have to get your heart committed to do something. If you really want to go to a local underprivileged school & read one day a week, go do it. If you’d rather donate books to your local shelter, then go for it. If you’re following your heart, then you will be what we call a cheerful giver and want to keep giving. SEE IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP. Look around, you’d be amazed at what’s right under your nose. You’ll get started doing small things and enjoy it so much that you will want to do more. CLEAN UP LITTER ON YOUR STREET. Any one can do this in their very own neighborhood. SMILE AT 2 STRANGERS A DAY. That may be the only kind thing any one had done for them that day is just to acknowledge them with a smile. MOW THE NEIGHBOR’S YARD. If you live next to an elderly person or someone who is struggling with illness offer to mow their yard or weed their garden. The smallest and simplest acts of kindness can make a HUGE difference in the life of another human being. Just start by taking one step at a time and Just Do It!! THE POWER OF ENCOURAGEMENT A group of frogs was traveling through the woods. One of them suddenly fell into a deep pit. The other frogs gathered around the pit, and when they saw how deep it was they told him that the situation was hopeless, and he’d never make it out. The trapped frog ignored his friends’ advice and tried to jump out of the pit. But the other frogs continued to yell into the pit, telling their friend that he was as good as dead. The frog continued to jump as high as he could. All the while the other frogs were encouraging him to give up. The frog jumped harder and higher and eventually jumped out of the pit. “Thanks guys,” the frog said to his friends. “I never would’ve made it out of that pit if it weren’t for your encouragement.” “Did you hear what we were saying to you?” asked one of his friends. “No, I really couldn’t hear what you were saying, my hearing isn’t so good anymore, but just seeing the concerned looks on your and imagining that you were telling me to keep trying was what kept me going.” Remember, there is power in the words we speak. An encouraging word to someone who is down can be just the sort of thing to help him make it through the day. By contrast, a negative word to someone who is struggling to reach higher ground can be just the sort of thing that keeps him in the pit of despair.