friday takeout

March 5, 2021

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • Our very own Katie Gilbert, Dean of High School Partnerships, is featured in Meet a Local Leader series by the BizTimes! ... link


  • College's Nursing students featured on front page of the Oelwein Daily Register this week for their volunteer work at a vaccine clinic in Fayette County ... link

  • Check out the College's new cluster video series, created by Team Gold. These videos are being used to recruit new students. This video focuses on students who are undecided on a program at NICC ... video


  • FACULTY AND STAFF: Stay up-to-date on the College's Strategic Plan and Tracking document in NICC Shared Files!

WEEKLY FEATURE | good to know.

Celebrating Women's History Month!

This month, America, the United Kingdom and Australia observe Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8! The National Women’s History Alliance has a theme for every year, and this year it is a continuation of 2020’s theme: "Valiant Women of the Vote."

With the backing of federal legislators and lobbying efforts in the US, Congress declared March National Women’s History Month in 1987. Presidential proclamations for Women’s History Month are issued every year for Women’s History Month.

A 2021 sporcle.com article describes the history of Women’s History Month and its origins.

Also, check out a “100 Women Who Changed the World” list courtesy of historyextra.com, the official website for BBC History Magazine and History Revealed. The listing includes biographical paragraphs on influential figures such as Florence Nightingale, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart and more!

Pictured at right, clockwise from top left: Florence Nightingale, Simone de Beauvoir, Cleopatra and Amelia Earhart.

WELLNESS 360 | be well.

Self-Care Tips and Inspiration

by Flannery Cerbin-Bohach, Wellness and Life Stage Program Manager

Self-Care Tip of the Week:


Who has left the house, gotten an hour down the road and started panicking that you left the oven or the straightener plugged in?


I recently heard a unique remedy. Make it a habit of doing something strange after you turn off an electronic or oven. Focus on doing something you wouldn’t normally do, like the Macarena, Chicken Dance or clapping your hands. Chances are you’ll remember that oddity! Let me know if this works for you.

Inspiration of the Week:


Ikigai - 生き甲斐

The Japanese use the term ikigai as “reason for being” or “the reason for which you wake up in the morning.” They see ikigai as the midpoint between doing what you love, doing what you are good at, doing what the world needs and doing what you can be compensated for. This is powerful stuff if you stop to reflect how much your current role fulfills you. Dan Buettner, National Geographic researcher on blue zones, speculates that ikigai might be one of the reasons for the longevity of those from Okinawa (southern Japanese island about 500 miles from Taiwan).

Recipe of the Week:

So, when does it officially transition to cold brew time? The sun is out and 50s in the forecast, so here’s the recipe for when you’re ready.

Cold Brewed Coffee (4 servings)

Ingredients:
2 cups coarse ground coffee

1 ½ liters tap water

Preparation:

Combine ingredients in a French press. Stir and let sit for 12-24 hours on the countertop. Serve. Fill equal parts coffee and water or milk over ice.

BIG FISH | be amazed.

Shelby Melroe

Social Science Instructor | Calmar Campus


When you were growing up, what game or activity did you absolutely dread playing, and why?

Anything sports related. I would absolutely love to be an athletic person and do enjoying watching many sports. Unfortunately, coordination has never been my strong suit. Oh well, there has to be fans to watch sports too, right??

When you retire, and assuming you have enough money to do so, what is one cause you would give to because you are passionate about its mission and purpose?

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge animal lover! I grew up on a farm with all sorts of animals and now have two dogs with my husband. Our dogs our essentially like our children (Molly and Daisy even make cameos in some of my lecture videos!), and it makes me so sad that there are many neglected and abused animals. So I would definitely support any cause that helps animals.

What is your favorite movie of all time? (in a particular genre, if it’s easier to answer. e.g., comedy, drama, horror, sci fi.)

Definitely any horror movies. Most people who know me are always surprised by this. I’m a pretty happy, cheerful person. Apparently, I’m not your stereotypical horror fan (haha). However, I have always loved a good scary movie!


Name one country or region in the world you have never visited that you someday want to visit, serve or spend a vacation?

I know this is very broad, but I do really want to go to Europe someday. It has been on my bucket list for years, and I can’t narrow it down to just one country! I am currently learning French and hope to see Paris. However, my husband and I would love to one day also see the rolling hills of Ireland, Buckingham Palace in London and the canals in place of streets in Venice. Hopefully, one day we’ll be able to do the whole tour!

Give your colleagues a suggestion: what are 1, 2, or 3 of your favorite smart phone apps?

Adding off of my previous answer. For the past year, I have been using the Duo Lingo app to learn French. I have always wanted to learn another language, and this has really been a great tool. It’s fun and effective. I’d encourage everyone to expand their knowledge base with this fun (and educational) app.

If you have input on a upcoming feature, Big Fish, something to celebrate or a suggestion, email us at news@nicc.edu!