The Inbox December 2015

THE

INBOX Delivering the latest news to Henry County employees

December ‘15

Published by Henry County Communications Department & Henry County Board of Commissioners

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Editors Melissa Robinson Samantha Watson

from the Board of Commissioners

Graphic Designer Samantha Watson Contributors Melissa Robinson Samantha Watson Kevin Williams

The Henry County Board of Commissioners would like to wish you and yours a joyus holiday season and a Merry Christmas. As a reminder, Henry County administration offices will be closed on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1 for Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

December ‘15

Workplace Wellness

Cigna Health, in partnership with the Human Resources Department, is brainstorming a new program for Henry County that will aim to engage more employees in health and wellness related activities. This “Wellness Committee” will be a collective space that will streamline employee wellness event and program ideas. Cigna Onsite Health Coach, Melodi Ford, hopes that eventually each department in the County will have their own Wellness Representative who serves on the Wellness Committee and ultimately speaks for their department’s respective interests and goals.

A short, interest meeting for this new Wellness Committee will take place on January 6, 2015 at noon in Conference Room B. Any employee interested in joining the program or learning more about the commitment of serving as a Wellness Representative should attend.

The Inbox

The award winning show on Henry TV, Garden Delights, is making a special holiday appearance in The Inbox to offer festive and healthy recipe options for your Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Festivus feasts.

Even the Whos down in Whoville want to get a taste of Susan Howington and Frank Hancock’s chocolate tart and potato salad!

Chocolate Tart

1 package fat free, sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix (1 oz.)

1 3/4 cups skim milk 1 1/2 cups frozen dark cherries 2 tablespoons water 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 packet artifical sweetener 6 graham cracker tart shells

1. Thaw the cherries. Mix pudding with milk in medium mixing bowl. Beat on low speed for 2 minutes with electric mixer or by hand with wire wisk until smooth.

2. Combine cherries with the water in saucepan.

Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until bubbling.

3. Mix cornstarch with remaining water and add to cherries. Reduce heat and continue stirring until thickened. Remove from heat and add sweetener.

4. Place 1/4 cup pudding in each tart shell and top with approximately 1/4 cup cherries. Chill until ready to serve.

183 calories, 28g carbs, 6g fat, 4g protien, 1g fiber

Potato Salad

1/3 cup light italian dressing 7 medium potatoes 3/4 cup celery 1/3 cup onion 2 eggs 1/2 cup light mayonnaise 1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt 1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard

1. Boil the potatoes then peel and slice them. Boil the eggs until they are hard and then chop them.

Dice the celery and onion.

2. Pour Italian dressing over the warm potatoes.

Marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

3. Cook the onion in the microwave for about 30 seconds in a small bowl. Add along with the celery to the potato mixture.

4. Gently stir in the eggs.

5. Mix together the mayonnaise, yogurt and mustard in a bowl and fold into the salad.

6. Chill for at least 2 hours.

196 calories, 29g carbs, 7g fat, 5g protien, 3g fiber

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December ‘15

SAFETY FIRST Winter Weather Safety with Vincent Scott, Risk Manager.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this winter will be chilly and wet in the Southeast. The potential for an employee getting a “cold stress injury” can be mitigated by wearing proper clothing for the season, recognizing signs and symptoms and knowing the treatment for cold weather related injuries.

What constitutes “cold stress” and its effects can vary across different areas of the country. In regions that are not used to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered factors for “cold stress.” Increased wind speed also causes heat to leave the body more rapidly (wind chill effect).

Wetness or dampness, even from body sweat, also facilitates heat loss from the body.

Cold stress occurs by driving down the skin’s temperature, and eventually the body’s internal temperature. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage and death may result. Types of cold stress include: trench foot, frostbite,and hypothermia.

Whether it’s rain, sleet, snow or wind, drivers must be prepared to face the hazards winter driving brings. Without proper preparation, these conditions could lead to a tragic accident.

Don’t ask your vehicle to do more than it can. If you don’t feel comfortable driving your car, park it. Proper planning, preparation and driving can result in successful completion of a trip.

The Inbox

Christmas Movie Matching Elf Christmas Vacation Home Alone A Christmas Story Bad Santa The Santa Clause

If you would like to contribute to the monthly employee newsletter, please email Communications Specialist, Samantha Watson at swatson@co.henry.ga.us. Contributions can include: original artwork, comics, pictures, announcements, classifieds or columns and articles.

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December ‘15

Office Notes

Retirements • Bill Lacy, Fire Chief • Michael T. Lunsford, Lieutenant at the Police Department • Nelda Dunson, Activity Coordinator for the Hidden Valley Senior Center • Pamela Vining, Personal Care Support Services Program Coordinator for Senior Services • Robert Ballew, Social Services Assistant for the Heritage Senior Center • Rufus Adams, Lieutenant at the Fire Department • Talmadge Pate, Food Services Program Coordinator for Senior Services • Terry McMickle, Department of Transportation Director • William McBroom, Attorney IV

Interim Promotions • Brad Johnson, Interim Fire Chief • Karrie Cromer, Interim Human Resource Director • Kim Tucker, Interim Stormwater Director • Wade Stroud, Interim Department of Transportation Director

Job Openings • www.henrycounty-ga.org/humanresources The Inbox

The “minor planets” or objects revolving between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars are called?

What is the last year the Chicago Cubs won the World Series?

Who wrote the play that My Fair Lady was based on?

What is the only U.S. state capital city named after a Biblical character?

What country is located directly to the north of Cyprus?

What was P. Diddy’s original rap name?

Who played in the first Prime Time Televised tennis match?

What state was Gatorade invented in?

What Mercury 7 astronaut went on to have a successful political career?

In 1888, Vincent Van Gogh left Paris and moved to what town in France?

Answers to the triva questions are listed on the employee intranet on the communications page.

Answer the riddle below then find the answer visually in the “iSpy” collage at the top.

1.

What always goes to bed with its shoes on?

2.

I come in varieties of color and am found

almost year round. My house is tall and

my only fear is the cold. What am I? 3.

What tastes better than it smells?

4.

What goes in the water black and comes

out red?

5.

I take what you receive and surrender it

all by waving my flag. What am I? 6.

What has a neck but no head?

7.

What kind of tree is carried in your hand?

8.

What has a foot but no leg?

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Thirty men and only two women, but they hold the most power. Dressed in black and white, they could fight for hours. Who are they?

I wear a red coat and have a stone in my throat. What am I? What has holes on each side, but can still hold water?

What starts with an “e” but only has a single letter in it?

What has to be broken before you can use it?

Answers to the riddles are listed on the employee intranet on the communications page.

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