THE
INBOX Delivering the latest news to Henry County employees
March ‘16 Published by Henry County Communications Department & Henry County Board of Commissioners Editors Melissa Robinson Samantha Watson Graphic Designer Samantha Watson Contributors Meredith Butler Melissa Robinson Samantha Watson Kevin Williams Chyah Williams-Thompson
Please contribute to the monthly employee newsletter! Email Communications Specialist, Samantha Watson at swatson@co.henry.ga.us. Contributions can include: original artwork, comics, pictures, announcements, classifieds or columns.
Email Etiquette For many of us, email is often the lifeblood of our communication at work. Email is usually the first thing we check when we log in to our computers and the last thing we look at when we leave for the day. Here are a few dos and don’ts for writing effective workplace emails: Don’t skimp on the salutation. It might seem like a little thing, but personalize it whenever possible (e.g. Hey Sally; Greetings Mrs. President…) Do put your best foot forward. When meeting in person, most of us strive to give a great first impression—the same should be done in written communication. For example, you’re waiting on Mary Kate in the Widget Department to give you a report you need: Good afternoon Mary Kate, Just checking on a timeline for that report on widget wonders. Please let me know when I can expect to have it. Thank you, Alice. Do write a powerful subject line that will get noticed and not be deleted. The word “important” in a subject line simply isn’t enough. Don’t write a thesis, instead,
with Melissa Robinson
get right to the point and try to keep the message short and succinct. Do make a note of any attachments in the e-mail: Hello Dilbert, please see the attached report on water tables. Do ensure that both spelling and punctuation are accurate. Use spell check, and double check yourself, because spell check doesn’t catch incorrect usage. Don’t use cutesy fonts or stationary. Comic sans might seem funny, but if your email is difficult to read, you have defeated the purpose of communicating your message. Do be mindful of tone. Speaking is one thing, but in writing, nuances are lost and humor can be misconstrued as snark, anger or sarcasm. Do remember who might be reading your emails. Make sure that the message you are sending is the one you would want anyone to be able to read. Do include a signature line with your full name, title, organization and contact information.
March ‘16
Shoutout!
Office Yoga with Samantha Watson 1. Seated Crecent Moon Pose: Lift your arms overhead and stretch your fingers wide. Lean to the right, taking 2 to 3 deep breaths. Repeat on the left side. 2. Chair Pigeon Pose: Sit up straight and on the edge of your chair. Place your left foot on your right knee, letting your left knee drop open. Keep your back straight and lean forward to stretch your glutes, hips and thigh muscles. After 5 to 8 breaths, switch sides.
Congratulations to Jace Pritchard with the Facilities Maintenance Department on earning his Georgia State Warm Air License! He studied several nights a week over the course of several months to prepare for the state exam. Completeing his studies while working full time day shifts is quite an accomplishment. Earning his license included completing rigorous coursework, passing a 7 hour examination and garnering glowing references from HVAC professionals. Way to go Jace!
3. Scale Pose: (Pictured on left) Sit at the edge of your chair, press your hands down on either side of your hips and raise your legs and butt up off the seat. Engage your deep abdominal muscles and keep the tops of your shoulders down. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths then lower and repeat twice. 4. Desk Chaturanga: Rest your hands about shoulder width distance on the edge of your desk and step your feet back so your torso is a diagonal line to the floor. Your feet firmly placed, inhale as you bend your elbows to a 90 degree angle, hugging your elbows in towards your ribs. Exhale and press your chest back up to the starting position. Repeat 8 to 12 times. 5. Cow Face Arms Pose: (Pictured on right) Bring your left arm behind your back and right arm behind your head. Clasp your fingers together if you can. Hold for 5 to 8 breaths then switch sides.
The Inbox
March Health Observances Turmeric Tea Recipe 1 cup coconut milk 1 cup water 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter) 1 tablespoon raw honey 1 tablespoon turmeric (powder or root)
March is Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, National Cheerleader Safety Month, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, National Endometriosis Awareness Month and National Kidney Month.
Pour the coconut milk and water into a saucepan and warm for 2 minutes. Add in ghee, honey and turmeric for another 2 minutes. Stir and pour into a glass to drink.
Home remedies for endometriosis: 1. Eliminate nonorganic dairy products and meat. 2. Increase your intake of nutrient-rich foods like cruciferous vegetables, soy and fiber. 3. Limit your alcohol intake. 4. Eat small meals four to five times a day. 5.Increase your intake of anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, omega-3 essential fatty acids, walnuts, flaxseed, ginger, chamomile, dandelion root, motherwort, blueberries and so on. 6. Try to stay away from plastic storage containers and don’t microwave food in plastic containers. 7. Get a pelvic massage. 8. Take a sitz bath. 9. Try accupuncture to dull the pain. Find more information at www.womentowomen.com
Kidneys filter 200 liters of blood a day, regulate the body’s salt, potassium and acid content, remove drugs from the body, balance fluids, release hormones that regualte blood pressure, produce vitamin D and control the production of red blood cells. Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in the U.S.; 1 in 3 Americans is at risk for kidney disease due to diabetes, high blood pressure or family history of kidney failure. Answers to the kidney fill-in-the-blank are listed on the employee intranet on the communications page.
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March ‘16
SAFETY FIRST Driver and Pedestrian Safety with Chyah Williams-Thompson
sensory room Service Project
The Inbox
Changing our clocks to “spring forward” not only signifies the change in seasons but also a change in our sleeping patterns. The dreaded reduction in our sleep schedule can initially be met with contention and disdain but then the sun comes out. We absorb the Vitamin D, start to enjoy the breeze, go to our first cookout and forget all about what was supposedly lost. Because of the beautiful weather in the spring and summer, there are more pedestrians outside. People soak up some sun while they walk their dogs at Heritage Park, stretch their legs on the new sidewalks outside of the Administration Building, and visit local stores at the McDonough Square or jog around the golf course in Lake Dow. However invigorating the bright and extended days are, they still can present a slew of safety hazards for both drivers and pedestrians. Hoverboards and skateboards will whirl by and cyclists will take to the open roads in groups or for solo rides. Please be aware of these added elements to your normal commute, as they can be distracting. Wear sunglasses or use your visor to ensure your vision isn’t limited by the sometimes very bright and ever changing environment. Be safe and enjoy! For more information on alert driving and driver and pedestrian safety, log on to The Henry Communicator, or employee intranet, at http://www.henrycommunicator.com.
Classifieds WASHER AND DRYER Washer: $150.00 Dryer: $250.00 Contact Audrey RossetThomas for more info at athomas@co.henry.ga.us. LOSE WEIGHT, FEEL GREAT Lose weight and feel great with 30 minute at-home workouts tailored to your fitness level, personalized nutritional plans, health-first supplements and uplifting support. Explore your options online at www.teambeachbody.com/samwatson or give me a call or text at 770-312-1156. I specialize in bodypositive fitness and am ready to help you be the healthiest you! DONE BY US Handmade gifts, monogrammed Christmas ornaments, wine & shot glasses, tumblers, car decals, t-shirts and more! Check us out at https:// w w w. et sy. co m /s h o p / d o n e by u s ? ref = s e a rc h _ shop_redirect or https://www.facebook.com/ DoneByUsMcDonough/?fref=ts. We do special requests and can customize to order. Call Terry at 678-763-3395 or email at TerryDavi@aol.com. SELL YOUR STUFF Have a classified ad you’d like to see in The Inbox? We’ve got room! Email Communications Specialist, Samantha Watson at swatson@co.henry.ga.us if you have items or services to sell or give away.
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March ‘16
Office Notes In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to what?
Massage Therapy • Onsite massage therapy with Lauren Mullennix is offered at the administration building on most Thursdays. Sessions last 10 min. for $10. Call Melodi Ford to schedule an appt. 770-288-6804.
County Vehicles • Car washing services for county vehicles will take place every Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information contact Arthur Weems, Director of Code Enforcement/Community Services.
Defensive Driving • A Defensive Driving class will be held on Thursday, March 24th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the E-911 Training Room, and spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. All course sign-ups will be completed on the Risk Management page of the employee intranet.
Lunch & Learn • The Extensions Office is hosting a Lunch and Learn lecture with an emphasis on tomatoes presented by Frank Hancock on April 12 at noon at the Extensions Office in Heritage Park. Participants should bring their own lunch. The Inbox
Who was the first woman to swim across the English Channel? Of all artists represented by galleries in the U.S. today, what percentage are female? What NY Tribune employee became the nation’s first professional book reviewer? What state was the first to allow women to vote? The gender divide across music industry related jobs is what percent male to female? What female pioneer nurse is known as the founder of modern nursing? Where was the first women’s right convention held? What woman became America’s first agriculturist and hybridized indigo?
Mary Kies was the first woman to be granted a U.S. patent. For what invention? Answers to the triva questions are listed on the employee intranet on the communications page.
Find a way out of the celtic knot.
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Sodoku: Get #’s 1-9 in every box without repeating in columns & rows.
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The sixth sick sheiks sixth sheep’s sick.
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Can you say it 5 times fast?
Guiness Book of World Records’ Worlds Hardest Tongue Twister.
A big bug bit a bold bald bear and the bold bald bear bled blood badly.
Easter Sunday Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever, amen.
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