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SEPTEMBER 2023
Village of Flossmoor - Employee News
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Staff Members Represent Flossmoor at State Fair
On August 16, Village of Flossmoor staff and community volunteers presented Plant the Gem as one of four finalists in the Governor’s Hometown Awards program at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield! While Flossmoor was not chosen to receive the Governor’s Cup, we are proud to announce that the one-day event from last October — when 300 trees were planted by 250+ volunteers all over town — was the winner in the Division 2 Category: Population 7,501-25,000! Thank you for representing us so well: Michelle Nelson, Tristan Shaw, Trinity Pierce, Brent Bachus, Jackie Riffice, Kevin Dorsey, Jonathan Bogue, Dave Becker & Stephanie Wright.
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WORK ANNIVERSARIES THIS MONTH
Thank for your service to our community!
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Kimberly Wegmann (Police Dept.) — 32 years
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Brian Tencza (Police Dept.) — 28 years
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James Mazurkiewicz (Fire Dept.) — 27 years
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Christopher Van Offelen (Fire Dept.) — 14 years
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Doug Deegan (Police & Building Depts.)— 10 years
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Laura Docter (Police Dept.) — 10 years
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Sally Zamkin (Finance) — 10 years
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Tracy Owens-Ammons (Police Dept.) — 4 years
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Manuel Villarreal (Fire Dept.) — 2 years
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Jared Rush (Fire Dept.) — 1 year
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Safety Reminder
Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases are again on the rise in many areas, including our community. Please remember to wash your hands often, clean shared work spaces and — most importantly — stay home when you are feeling unwell. Should you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, get tested as soon as possible. If you are positive, promptly inform your supervisor. The Village's occupational health provider, who has overseen our COVID protocols since the start of the pandemic, is reviewing our most recent plan and protocols from 2022. Stay tuned for any updates from your department director.
Current CDC guidelines recommend return to work: a) five days after symptom onset (or a positive test if no symptoms); b) the person is fever free for 24 hours; and c) other symptoms are improving. Additionally, an employee who returns after five days is recommended to wear a well-fitting mask like an N95 or equivalent for an additional five days at any time that they are around others. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Bogue.
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Summer Staff Cookout
Thank you to our Board of Trustees and Mayor Michelle Nelson for hosting — and cooking for — our summer staff cookout in August. It was a lovely event! (See Mayor Michelle's recipe for her mac & cheese at the bottom of this newsletter.)
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Join us at Flossmoor Fest: Sept. 9
Get ready for Flossmoor Fest, set for Saturday, Sept. 9, in Downtown Flossmoor! The event will begin at 11 a.m. with music provided by Conservatory Vintage & Vinyl, immediately following the conclusion of the Hidden Gem Half Marathon. Opening ceremonies and the National Anthem will be played at 11:30 a.m. at the main stage. At noon, an event favorite, the H-F High School Marching Band, will perform in the downtown circle, followed by the Jesse White Tumblers at 1 p.m. Free kids’ activities will run from 2-7 p.m. down Sterling Avenue and will include amusement rides, inflatable bounce houses, a bungee run and a 90-ft. slide. Additional children's activities will include a kiddie train, face painters and rolling video games. Musical performers will include: Six of Spades, Raspberry Ca-beret and The Friends Band. We hope you and your family can join us at this very special event this year!
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Hidden Gem Half Marathon
Right before Flossmoor Fest, more than 1,000 runners — including Mayor Michelle Nelson — will be participating in the 4th Hidden Gem Half Marathon! The race runs throughout the Village, so please be aware that there will be rolling street closures that day. If you are running this year's race, please let us know at ncastagna@flossmoor.org so we can support you on this big day!
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September is National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
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Police Department
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A new 20 MPH School Zone has been posted along Governor's Highway near H-F High School will soon become a School Zone. Please be aware of this new speed limit when you are driving around town.
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Congratulations to Commander Tim Filkins! He is currently completing his master's degree in Criminal Justice through Liberty U.
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Public Works
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Reminder: A water meter replacement program will be rolling out in October to residents who still have the older meters. More details will be coming soon.
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In August, the Department completed a sidewalk improvement project along Flossmoor Road.
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National Night Out
Thank you to our staff for making National Night Out & Touch a Truck such a big success on August 1! We received many compliments from families and saw smiles all around (including those above).
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Movie in the Park
Thank you to our staff members who worked and helped out at this year's Back to School Movie in the Park event on Aug. 18! It was a lovely night and a very full event that couldn't be done without all of the teamwork you provide.
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Veterans Memorial Groundbreaking
Thank you to our staff members who attended the Flossmoor Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony, held in Flossmoor Park on Aug. 9. Special thank you to Public Works for their set up & clean up help on this very special day.
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Check out these August shout outs found on our social media sites: | |
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Tuesday, Sept. 5
Board of Trustees' Meeting @ Village Hall, 7:30 p.m. (Note: Meeting has been moved to Tuesday due to Labor Day.)
Wednesday, Sept. 6
Community Red & White Day
Saturday, Sept. 9
- Hidden Gem Half Marathon, 7:30-10:30 a.m.
- Flossmoor Fest @ Downtown Flossmoor, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
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Monday, Sept. 11
Art Commission Meeting @ Village Hall, 7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 18
Board of Trustees' Meeting @ Village Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Green Commission Meeting @ Village Hall, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 21
Plan Commission Meeting @ Village Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 26
- Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting @ Village Hall, 7:30 p.m.
- Community Relations Committee Meeting @ Village Hall, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 27
Pop-Up Sculpture Tour @ Downtown Circle, 5:30 p.m.
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Share a recipe you love with co-workers! Send your recipe to ncastagna@flossmoor.org for an upcoming newsletter! | |
Did you enjoy the mac & cheese at the staff cookout? Here's the special recipe from Mayor Michelle Nelson:
BAKED MAC & CHEESE
Elbow pasta — 1 lb.
Butter, unsalted — 1/2 cup
Flour — 1/2 cup
Milk — 1.5 cups
Half & Half — 2.5 cups
Cheddar cheese, medium — 4 cups shredded
Gruyere cheese — 2 cups shredded
Salt — 1/2 Tbsp.
Black pepper — 1/2 tsp.
Paprika — 1/4 tsp.
- Bring large pot of water to boil. Add dried pasta and cook 1 min. less than package directs for al dente. Drain; drizzle with olive oil.
- Toss cheeses together then divide into 3 piles (about 3 cups for sauce, 1.5 cups for inner layer, 1.5 cups for topping).
- Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour; whisk to combine. Cook 1 min., whisking often. Slowly pour in 2 cups of half & half, whisking constantly until smooth.
- Slowly pour in remaining half & half and milk, whisking constantly until smooth. Continue to heat over medium heat while whisking often until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in spices and 1.5 cups of cheese mixture, stirring to melt and combine. Stir in another 1.5 cups of cheese mixture; stir until completely smooth and melted.
- In large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta with cheese sauce, stirring to combine fully. Pour half of pasta mixture into greased 3-qt. baking dish. Top with 1.5 cups of cheese mixture, then remaining pasta.
- Sprinkle top with last of cheese mixture; bake 15 min. until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown at 325F.
Source: The Chunky Chef
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— Flossmoor Job Opportunities — | | |
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Tell your neighbors & friends, the Village of Flossmoor is currently looking for:
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Our intergovernmental partner, the Flossmoor Public Library, reminds you that September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. If you don't currently have a public library card, or you currently need to renew a card, this is a great month to do so. Don't miss out on all that your local library offers you! Click here for more info... | | | | |
