Fall 2023 Express

FORMER DIRECTOR

HPL Director Waynette Ditto retires

After serving as director of the Hewitt Public Library for 14 years, Waynette Ditto officially retired on July 31, 2023. With a 31-year career as a librarian, Waynette looks forward to being an active library patron and a member of the Friends of the Hewitt Public Library, (HPL) the volunteer group that supports the Library’s efforts.

“I did my best to ensure a smooth transition to a new library director,” says Ditto, “I look forward to devoting more time to my family, traveling and volunteering.”

When asked what has helped most in her role as director, Ditto credits strong community support and utilizing partnerships as the key to the Library’s success. HPL has partnered with a wide variety of organizations on shared projects and goals, including Friends of the Hewitt Public Library, Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce, Hewitt Kiwanis Club, Mayborn Museum, Texas Rangers Museum, Dr Pepper Museum, Cameron Park Zoo, Waco Mammoth National Monument, KXXV-25, McLennan Community College, Baylor University and numerous Waco-area restaurants.

Ditto’s involvement and leadership roles at the Texas Library Association, Texas Municipal Library Directors Association and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission helped gain the Hewitt Public Library statewide attention. The Library has also received recognition or grants on the national stage through the Radiologic Technologist’s National Library Partnership program, the American Library Journal, National Health Library and NASA.

HPL serving as a safe space where all are welcome has been the driving ethos throughout Ditto’s career— especially at Hewitt Public Library that is often called the “Heart of the community.” When asked about her legacy, Ditto responded, “My prayer for the next chapter of the Hewitt Public Library is that it becomes even stronger and continues to be that heart of the community.”

Thank

Former HPL Director Waynette Ditto celebrates at a party hosted for her by the Hewitt community on July 29.

you, Waynette for your many years of service and dedication to Hewitt and surrounding communities. We wish you all the best in your new chapter!

Welcome to a new year with Friends of the Hewitt Public Library

A volunteer fundraising and support group for the Hewitt Public Library

5 OCT

Annual Members Meeting | 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Enjoy refreshments, fellowship & door prizes as we approve our board, review the treasurer's report, get a snapshot of our past year & get an update from our Library Director Matthew Glaser.

27

NOV

Annual Christmas Silent Auction Opens

Small decorated trees, holiday wreaths & gift baskets. Bidding ends Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2:00 pm. You can support the library by donating an item, finding a donor, giving a cash donation or buying an item.

14

MARCH

TBA

APRIL

Annual Spring Silent Auction Opens

Spring and Easter themed wreaths & baskets. Bidding ends Saturday, March 23rd at 2:00 pm. You can support the library by donating an item, finding a donor, giving a cash donation or buying an item.

Gardening in Texas

Hear tips and how to's about Texas Super Star plants from a master gardener and enjoy a take-home surprise. Date and time to be announced later.

Matthew Glaser takes the reins at HPL

Iam excited to join the City of Hewitt team as the next Hewitt Public Library Director! HPL has a fantastic team who keep programs and services going strong, and I look forward to keeping the trajectory of the Library’s success going strong.

I began library work as a part-time library assistant at the New Braunfels Public Library, and eventually took the position of Head of Electronic Resources at the Midland County Public Libraries. I then moved into administration and served as the Director of Social Impact & Community Engagement. While in Midland, Texas, I served as a judge for the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee for three years, and I was involved with H-E-B’s Feast of Sharing committee for the Midland area. I bring experience with large literacy events, community campaigns, and special projects to the City of Hewitt.

I received my Master of Science in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and I received my Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of South Alabama. I am currently an active member of the Texas Library Association—serving on the 2024 Conference Planning Committee—and I am also serving a three-year term with the Texas State Library & Archives Commission on the E-Read Texas Working Group, a group that helps to provide a selection of e-books and e-audiobooks to communities across Texas. My professional interests include digital literacy, broadband access, creative arts, and library performance data.

My philosophy in library service is to provide free and open access to information and resources as much as possible. Our job in the library is to remove as many obstacles and barriers as we can to ensure our community has the tools it needs to move onward and upward.

At the same time, we are here to help maintain our community’s quality of life and bridge the relationships between literacy, recreation, and culture. Here at HPL, everyone is welcome, and there is always something to learn or do.

I am truly looking forward to becoming a part of the Hewitt community and bringing my vision to the Library. During my time at HPL, I hope to work with my team to expand on existing services and continue to improve all our literacy efforts. And, of course, I am excited to take the library on the road with the new HPL on the Go trailer!

MATTHEW GLASER

Each issue of Express magazine will feature an article submitted by a member of the Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Watch for more great info in future issue!

Building a sustainable workforce: minimizing costs and maximizing culture

BY KATHRYN CROUCH, SEDONA STAFFING SERVICES

There is an unequivocal consensus that a labor shortage in the U.S. and across the world is currently taking place. The root causes of these shortages are hotly debated with blame placed on factors such as employers not paying suitable wages for the roles they are trying to fill, the substantial workplace departure of employees prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and lack of affordable child care. Regardless of the possible causes, companies will have to do their best to not only attract the best talent but RETAIN the talent that they already have to minimize the bottom line impact on their business.

We will aim to discuss strategies that may aid your organization in retaining existing personnel to reduce the number of roles that you will need to hire for in the future, as well as to ensure that when you do make a new hire, they stick around for longer than a quarter (literally). My team’s experience in the staffing industry gives us unique insight into identifying common denominators among multiple industries.

Positive Feedback in the Workplace

Employees will not invest their full commitment and skill sets if they are often overlooked by managers and co-workers. They often leave for this exact reason. Human Resource and management teams should be working to make it known in their company that positive teamwork and supportive professional relationships should be the norm, and an expectation for all roles in the company..Management should undergo training on how to positively impact their employees through direct communication. Expressing gratitude of any kind (such as saying “Thank You”) costs nothing, yet it often leads to stronger professional relationships and a reduction in employee turnover.

Promote from Within

This is a key element of building a sustainable workforce, due to the ample benefits that it provides to any organization. Employees that are passed over for promotions and professional growth opportunities often sprint out the door! Promoting from within is more cost-effective than hiring externally and the training

periods are shorter. Internal promotions will also inspire other employees to strive for excellence and better envision a future with the company. For smaller companies that lack promotion opportunities, consideration of professional growth opportunities may be equally effective, such as sending employees to training conferences to further enhance professional skills, or finding ways to further evolve their roles that they will welcome.

Maximize your Existing Culture

From a recruitment/HR perspective, there is nothing more frustrating than going through a full-cycle recruitment process, hiring the perfect candidate for a role, and then hearing shortly after that the candidate has resigned. Often, the resignation is less about money and more about feeling unhappy in the environment they were working in. To build a sustainable workforce, work culture has to be ready to meet the needs of the GREAT candidates of the future and be prepared to retain the AMAZING employees most likely already on your payroll. If you are not currently having these conversations, I would encourage that you center them around the following: work/life balance, competitive compensation and benefits, growth opportunities, improving communication between management and employees, management training on promoting a healthy workplace culture, and core values.

If your company strives to excel in these three areas, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing labor shortages, and your current employees will undoubtedly appreciate your efforts!

GHCoC Annual Golf Tournament was definitely

a hot day

“Fore”

108 HOT degrees on the thermometer didn’t deter golfers from enjoying a day on the links at Cottonwood Creek for the Greater Hewitt Chamber’s “Grip It ‘n Sip It” tournament

Lots of fun, great camaraderie and good food helped GHCoC raise more than projected for upcoming scholarships and programs. Thanks to all who made it a great day!

fun!

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2024 Executive Committee:

Shawna Bradfute, Edward Jones Investments - Preside nt

Lori Robb, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hi llcrest - President Elect

Andrew Westra, Christ Our Refuge Lutheran Church - Vice President

Cassie Thomas, City of McGregor - The Exchange - Se cretary (*term renewal)

Lindsey Skinner, Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP - Trea surer

Michael Wyatt, ActionCOACH & The Posh Potty - Past President (term renewal)

2024 Re-elected/Term Renewal:

Brian Black, Farmers Insurance Brian Black

Jeanne Rieger, Mary Kay

Jeff Stubbs, Custom Integrators

Reece Flood, High & Associates

Regina Martinez, Cadence Bank

Richard Nettles, Extraco Banks – Mortgage

Stephanie Tolbert, Fluff Wash & Fold

Trish Menchu, Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtor

2024 Fulfilling Current Terms:

Ashley Futris, Midway ISD & Education Foundation

Bo Thomas, City of Hewitt - Honorary Member

Clint Allen, State Farm Insurance - Hewitt, TX

Diana Crow

Donna Muhlman, Mr. Electric

Donny Hunter, Small Biz Guy

Frank Thomas, Wash & Thomas Attorneys

Gabby Curry-Evick, Walk-On's Waco

Gregg Dungan, News 25

Jean Ann Hoover, Educators Credit Union/Hewitt Flor ist

Jeff Nunes, Maverick Financial

Jose Neira, Italian Granite

Kathryn Crouch, Sedona Staffing

Katy Redding, Specialty Restoration

Ken Noble, Noble Leadership Solutions

Matthew Boudreaux, Align Financial

Scott Hedges, GENCO Federal Credit Union

2024 New Members: 3-Year Terms

Sam Hersh, BeaconPay Solutions

Travis Fagg, Texas Document Solutions

WACO WOMEN’S LIONS CLUB WELCOMES YOU TO SERVE WITH US!

Chartered in December 2013, the Waco Women’s Lions Club (WWLC) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary of service to our community on December 7. Just one of thousands of Lions clubs around the world, WWLC was formed to seek ways to find a need and meet it, assist other organizations that tie in to Lions Club International’s 8 Global Causes (more at LionsClubs.org), which include: diabetes prevention and help for those diagnosed, vision preservation and assistance for the sight-impaired, hunger initiatives, environmental preservation and protection, childhood cancer support, disaster relief, humanitarian asistance, and youth initiatives through the creation of fundraising projects/events, public awareness, volunteerism and much more. WWLC created “Dinner in the Dark” to provide funds for Leader Dogs for the Blind, “Fill a Fiat” to provide kid-friendly food for McLennan County’s Pack of Hope, and many other fun activities. We also provide thousands of free digital vision screenings for schoolchildren each year, as vision problems discovered by the age of 7 are likely able to be fixed—improving a child’s quality of life and learning. In addition, we help clean up Waco to assist Keep Waco Beautiful, along with many efforts to assist Central Texas organizations to help the homeless, aid foster child organizations, etc. Come learn what we’re all about! If you have a servant’s heart, love to help others and enjoy socializing with fun folks. We would love to meet you! We are ages 22 to 75, working gals, business-owners, and retirees, so you’ll likely fit right in! We meet on the first Monday of each month, and we’ll treat you to lunch! Simply call WWLC President Melissa Sieh at (832) 823-8714 to reserve your space for either October 2 or November 6.

stay well-rested

At our Sleep Inn & Suites® hotel, we believe that every journey should be a restful one. Through a dreamy palette of warm colors, soft lighting, nature-inspired designs and modern furnishings, our hotels are designed with relaxation in mind. Plus, ease into the day with a complimentary hot delicious breakfast, high-speed WiFi and a trip to the pool and/or fitness center.

• Modern and stylish guest rooms

• Free Morning Medley breakfast

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Dream Better Here®

• Business center

• Fitness center

• Swimming pool

• Pet-friendly rooms

Book your room with us at choicehotels.com/tx976

Sleep Inn & Suites HewittSouth Waco

209 Enterprise Boulevard Hewitt, TX 76643

254.420.3200

778 Sun Valley Blvd. Hewitt, TX (254) 732-9823

Convenient loca�on. Comfortable rooms. First-class ameni�es.

Minutes away from Baylor University, McLane Stadium, Fixer Upper’s® Magnolia Market at the Silos, the Dr Pepper Museum and Cameron Park Zoo.

Conveniently located just off I-35 between Aus�n and Dallas.

Stay at Ramada in Hewi�, and experience Southern hospitality at its finest.

We’re here to help you make it home.

Our Chapel Road Lending Team

It doesn’t matter if it’s a new home purchase, home construction or an improvement project, the lending team at Community Bank & Trust can help you with a loan that matches your vision. Whether you’re working with a builder to construct your dream home or purchasing an existing home, the way we start the loan process is the same as it’s been for almost 70 years. We still get to know each customer personally—exactly what you’d expect from the oldest locally owned independent bank in Waco. Call us today at 254.753.1521 or apply online at cbtwaco.bank by clicking the LoanLink button.

cbtwaco.bank

Carol Pilant Codi Horacek

Member FDIC

In order to ensure the perfect work placement, our personnel service does our best to match specific types of jobs with employees who have the desired skill set. We have job counselors on site who are consistently interviewing candidates, which allows us to choose from a large employee base. We can be your temporary staffing company as well as your source for permanent and as-needed positions.

Hewitt Happenings

Special thanks to Raising Cane’s on Hewitt Drive for sponsoring Greater Hewitt Chamber’s 2023 ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

1 Brad Turner and Brenda Turner listen as community members pay tribute to father/husband, Charlie Turner at The Tool Shed Thrift Shop 2 Volunteers from Christ Our Refuge donate their time to help stuff GHCoC new resident welcome bags 3 GHCoC staff congratulate HPL’s Waynette Ditto on her retirement at a reception held in late-July 4 GHCoC’s Jake Smith and Trish Menchu promote the GHCoC golf tournament on Shooter FM 92.9 5 GHCoC members enjoy networking at a joint open house with Visiting Angels and Stoneybrook of Hewitt 6 Stephanie with Fluff Wash and Fold helps deliver GHCoC Express magazines to the community 7

Hours at the Baylor Club finds members making new connections 8 GHCoC members enjoy

Hours at the Extraco Events Center (The Base) 9 Nora with BE Business Solutions provides a business program on employee benefits 10 GHCoC staff take a quick photo at Midway ISD’s Vatre information meeting 11 Participants listen to information at a recent Hewitt State of the City meeting 12 The Tool Shed Thrift Shop honored Charlie Turner with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony

Basin Climbing and Fitness is an indoor rock-climbing gym opening Spring 2024 in Hewitt. We aim to educate and inspire Wacoans to grow in mind, body, and soul. We offer a variety of programs, training, and events to meet the needs of every climber—from the first time walk-in to the elite climber athlete. Join the Basin community and discover a sense of adventure, community, and heightened physicality. Our friendly staff and fellow climbers will be there to reach out so you can reach higher. There is no better place in Waco to work out, make friends and ascend together.

The right insurance provides peace of mind during life’s toughest moments. Most of us have insurance (and hope that we never need to use it). At Highview Insurance Group, we serve clients with their best interests in mind, as each person has unique needs when looking for insurance. Our insurance group will work with your health, life, home, auto, or business insurance needs. Enrolling in insurance is important but can be a confusing and complicated process. Highview is with you each step of the way—from quoting, enrolling, and renewing each year. Call us at (254) 339-6606 or visit us online at highviewinsurance.com.

The Heart of Texas SHRM Chapter is one of 32 SHRM-affiliated chapters in Texas. Our mission is to provide Human Resource professionals with networking/development opportunities in the Greater Waco area. We meet at the Greater Waco Chamber office in the fourth week of the month at lunchtime, alternating between Tuesdays and Thursdays. We also host an annual day conference in September.

HOT SHRM is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-C or SHRM-SCP Certification. Visit us online at www.hotshrm.org for upcoming events. Discounted rates offered to members and guests.

My Good Witch Microgreens is a local grow-to-order microfarm. We take great pride in delivering fresh products directly to homes and restaurants in the Waco area on a weekly basis. We are on a mission to transform the perception of healthy and flavorful greens, making top-notch microgreens accessible to all. We strive to provide our customers with an ever-growing selection of microgreens as well as inspiration and education on why and how to use microgreens. Visit us online at mygoodwitch.com or call (262) 598-4777 to learn more.

Rhea Lana’s of Waco is an upscale children’s consignment pop-up event. Parents can earn money for their children’s outgrown items, and purchase high-quality items at reduced prices. Rhea Lana’s accepts clothing sizes newborn through juniors, shoes, books, youth furniture, baby gear (like strollers & carseats), and much more!

“Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion.” —the motto that the Waco Women’s Lions Club takes to heart with every service project, fundraiser and community activity we do..and it will continue. See more about us on page 14, and join us to learn more at our upcoming first Monday luncheon on October 2 or November 6. Lunch is on us! If you have a heart for service, we’d love to meet you!