friday takeout
May 31, 2019
CUPPA JOE | straight up news.
Note to Readers: The Friday Takeout has begun its every-other-week summer schedule. The next issue will be released on June 14.
WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.
Trimark CNC Day Introduced 11 Area Students to Machinist Technology and Programming
TriMark Corporation, of New Hampton, sponsored its annual Trimark CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Day camp for students from New Hampton, Turkey Valley and Riceville through their partnership with the College. Eleven students participated in the event on Thursday, May 16, at the Cresco Center. The popular summer camp introduces 11th and 12th grade students to CNC machining technology, G&M code programming, design and hands-on machining work.
WELLNESS 360: Wellness Spotlight
Sarah Haugen
Director of Data Services | District
How long have you been a cyclist? Do you remember your first ride?
I have been cycling since January 1, 2004, and on that day I spent 10 grueling minutes on a stationary bike. The previous July I had spent yet another week regaling my lunchmates with tales of RAGBRAI, when one of them finally turned to me and said, "You should ride RAGBRAI." I was stunned as I realized that it was doable, so I vowed to start cycling on the first day of the new year. I have since logged over 43,000 miles.
Why do you cycle?
Cycling keeps me sane and my bike is named "My Therapist"; while I do have genetic health concerns that benefit from regular exercise, the mental health side has more immediate rewards. I have pedaled a lot of miles fueled by frustration and stress. I have also experienced some wonderful epiphanies that simply happened when my mind was free. When I am puzzled over an issue at work, you might hear me say, "let me pedal on that."
How far do you bike on average?
Twenty miles is my goal each time I'm out. My annual goal is 3,301 miles, which is the length of Highway 20 from Boston to the Pacific. Lyle Luzum (my former supervisor at the College) suggested that I plot my miles on a map to have a better context of my efforts. The US map is still on the wall of my studio at home. Every Jan. 1, I imagine myself standing with My Therapist on the docks of Boston … and every time I reach the Pacific, I make a right on Highway 101 and head north to Canada. Then I start shopping for another ring.
Any memorable rides or places you've biked?
My favorite and least favorite rides were in the rain.
Favorite: on a hot, sweaty July day, I was riding north of Decorah and ahead I could see a lone, dark cloud over Locust Road that was pouring rain. It felt like riding into a car wash and relieved the heat. After I turned right, I rode out of it and chased a rainbow home.
Least favorite: one year during RAGBRAI I left Waterloo after a thunderstorm moved on. (Don't cycle in a thunderstorm: the bike would make a lovely lightning rod!) The rain and headwind picked up and I pedaled blindly for about 10 miles with water blowing in and around my sunglasses. I was soaked and cold and angry. Later the sun appeared and dried the riders.
Any advice you'd given someone new to the activity?
Henry Ford said, “Whether you say you can or you say you can't, you're right.”
Buy a brand-name bike and good safety equipment, including a helmet and gloves (I love gloves!). The first time I rode My Therapist, I was surprised at what a difference a Trek was. It almost seemed to pedal on its own. My greatest challenges are time and patience, and so I believe that it's important to schedule and commit to the time to bike. Otherwise, it's easy to lose track of that time. It's also important to be patient, take your time enjoying the outdoors and climbing hills. Walking counts and there's often a great reward down the other side. Don't forget the sunscreen.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Cycling is an excellent way to thoroughly enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and feels of Iowa. You can devote as much effort and money as you want to it and it's not just for athletes. It is the only sporty activity that I have. Biking creates feelings of freedom, confidence and competence.
Know someone who inspires other to be well? Submit a Wellness Spotlight Nomination today!
JUST DESSERTS | let's celebrate.
Enjoy Your Retirement and Thank You for Your Service!
Phyllis Mausser
Phyllis served as a library technician at the Peosta Library for 20 years. Her future plans include sleeping in for the first week of her retirement, instead of arriving at the College for work at 7 a.m. She plans to help her husband on the farm and enjoy her grandkids. Of her retirement Phyllis expressed: “I know I will keep busy. What I will miss most are the people I met through my 20 years at the College and helping the students and patrons in the library.”
Doug Stover
Doug served as a Peosta campus custodian for 17 years after graduating from the Computer Analyst program at NICC. Doug and his wife Jean plan on doing lots of traveling during retirement. This year they will be going to Phoenix, Michigan and then to to Mackinac Island. He plans on golfing a lot and walking. “The one thing I will take from my time at the College is I met so many great people, and I was able to work in a nice clean environment!” Doug says.
Kathy Davis
Kathy served as a counselor for the College for 30 years. In her retirement she will be taking Spanish classes and volunteering for her son's adult daycare. She plans to continue making cards and gift bags. Kathy said one of the most important lessons she learned at the College is: “Education is important to a whole and healthy life. Whether it is a professional development class, your high school diploma or getting your degree, we should never stop learning. NICC is the perfect place to do that.”
Welcome to Northeast Iowa Community College!
Nicole Atnip is a new Student Development Administrative Assistant at Peosta.
Alexus Brooks is a new Custodian at Peosta.
Denise English is a new Instructional Designer at Peosta.
Ruth Erickson is a new Custodian at Peosta.
Sara Franzen is a new Development Officer at Calmar.
Kiara Kronlage is a new Child Care Associate at Peosta.
Trevor Massman is a new Helpdesk Network Technician at Calmar.
Maranda Mastin is a new Child Care Associate at Peosta.
Wendy Stahr is a new Student Services Administrative Assistant at Calmar.
Allison Troester is a new Child Care Associate at Peosta.
Audrey Welty is a new Child Care Associate at Peosta.
BIG FISH | be amazed.
Eric Scheidecker
Math Instructor | Peosta
How did you learn how to ride a bike?
I was put on my brother's old bike when my legs were long enough to reach the pedals and pushed along the smoothest bit of our gravel driveway until I got started. It turns out that potentially faceplanting into gravel is a wonderful motivator. I figured out "forward" a lot faster than “stop” and “start,” so I got started at the top of a hill and stopped by riding onto grass and tipping over.
What was your worst early learning baking/cooking disaster?
My first batch of peanut butter cookies when I was a kid. I was a little shaky on the difference between Tsp and Tbsp in the recipe and just used tablespoons for everything. Besides everything else that went wrong doing, it meant putting in about three times as much baking powder and baking soda as I should have. The cookies stung your mouth when you tried to eat them. I've had plenty of baking disasters since then, but none as bad as the cookies that bit back.
What experience most prepared you for your current role at the College?
My job as a tutor in the math department while I was getting my master’s degree. Being a tutor taught me was that I had to be prepared to explain math from as many angles as possible to be an effective teacher; the explanation that clicks with one student might be gibberish to another. It also taught me that I had to be patient and calm if I expect my students to be.
What was your favorite cartoon/comic/book growing up?
Calvin and Hobbes. It's how my parents tricked me into reading for pleasure when I couldn't sit still long enough to make it through a book.
If you had to choose one thing you were most passionate about, what would it be and why?
Broadly speaking, teaching math. I get to teach a subject that I love to people who are terrified of math. I get to watch people realize they aren't somehow deficient, that they can do something they've been scared of since they were a kid. The first time they work through a problem and get the right answer on their own is like watching someone realize they just walked through a solid wall without noticing. That look of shocked happiness is my favorite part of teaching; it pays for any amount of frustration.
If you have input on a upcoming feature, Big Fish, something to celebrate or a suggestion, email us at news@nicc.edu!