friday takeout

March 19, 2021

CUPPA JOE | straight up news.

  • Check out the Spring 2021 issue of the Heroes Tribune, the College's e-newsletter for military-affiliated students, veterans and their families ... link


  • Dr. Wee's editorial/letter to the editor published in several Calmar-area newspapers, after first published in the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque. Here is the Waukon Standard newspaper's link ...


  • 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.

Marketing's Business and Community Solutions Catalog Design Wins National Award!

Northeast Iowa Community College has won the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) Silver Paragon Award for its Class Schedule - Fall 2020 Solutions Catalog. The highly competitive NCMPR Paragon Awards judge creative work from community colleges across the nation. Congratulations to our Marketing and Business and Community Solutions teams!

Want to see some inspiring work from other community colleges? Watch the awards show on YouTube. Lots of great ideas out there!

APPETIZER | something for your appetite.

Is Spring Here Yet?!

Last week’s heat wave got people ready to hit the trails and enjoy the scenery. For inspiration and a few travel ideas, check out this online resource, 11 Easy And Beautiful Spring Hikes Everyone In Iowa Will Love. You’ll see some familiar ones one the list – the Mines of Spain in Dubuque and Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa – and possibly a few that haven’t been on your travel plans yet. Spring is coming!

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:


Financial stress can affect nearly every facet of your life, with two of the most common effects - anxiety and depression. Everyone has an opinion about how and where you should spend your money, but personally I find it enlightening to learn how others budget. I stumbled upon Frugalwoods a while ago and this blog has helped increase my financial literacy. It features a young family who moved from Boston, Mass., to rural Vermont. Mrs. Frugalwoods shares her monthly expenses and justifies many of their financial decisions from car purchases to socks. They’ve been featured in the Times, Forbes and US News and World Report. I’ve learned a number of pennywise hacks from Frugalwoods and hope you do too!

Inspiration of the Week:


Science is cool and this is pretty bizarre. Scientists recently discovered that the Elysia marginata and Elysia atroviridis sea slugs disembodied their own heads. About one-third of the sea slugs studied successfully regrew bodies with their heads crawling around. Scientists believe they do this to try and shed themselves of parasites … and you thought getting a hang nail was bad? Sea Slug’s Decapitated Head Crawls Around Before Regrowing a Body

CSA / Community Supported Agriculture:


Details and sign-ups are now live (watch this CSA promo video to learn more). People, this is a fantastic discount on healthy, fresh, local produce!


BIG FISH | be amazed.

This week's Big Fish people are Maintenance and Custodial staff members at the Calmar and Peosta campuses! These dedicated staff members have helped the College navigate the COVID-19 pandemic for the past year, keeping our facilities clean and safe for students, the public and our own faculty and staff. They are continually disinfecting, doing general cleaning, removing snow and ice, and relocating furniture and supplies every day on campus. When you see one of these staff members, remember to say “Thank You” for their hard work and persistence!

Calmar staff members are, left to right: front row, Kevin Helgerson, Lisa Palas, Tom Ward, Plant Services Director, Irene Bohr and Mark Myers; back row, Marti Leiran, Mike Burgin, Randy Ruroden and Mark Mittelsted. Pictured in photo at right is Craig Hosting.

Peosta staff members in photo at left are: Debbie Nemmers, Jo Marie Grabbe, Ruth Erickson, Bev Miller and Linette Kremer. Photo at right is Tony Ries and Jerry McAuliffe. Not pictured: Plant Services Director Ron McClain, Tracey Cigrand and Jack Wiese.

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