The Dirt - January

Building Better Communities

7 ANNIVERSARIES MONTHLY COMMUNICATOR
11 PROJECT OF THE MONTH
18 WELLNESS JANUARY 2020

CONTENTS 10 Chaplain’s Corner 17 Asphalt
11 Project of the Month 18 Wellness
3 From the President 12 Pictures 19 Mechanics
4 Aggregates 14 Excavation 20 Trucking
5 Communications 15 Hillman Report 21 Cranes & Rigging
6 Safety 16 Concrete 22 Pickle Highlights
7 Anniversaries
8 Human Resources

HAPPY January BIRTHDAYS!

206 Steve Folkersma 1737 Ryan Groleau 1741 Ryan Neuman
2333 Joshua Hoffman 24 Joe Herman 2304 Tony Holman
2510 Garrett Bott 1793 Kyle Twining 1721 Al MacDonald
1535 Jared Bahrke 1360 Mark Demoulpied 1422 Mark Vosters
2364 Devin McPherson 1758 Jon Fox 1407 Don Brand
524 Peter Rosa 2502 Gus Gustafson 1210 Kyle Moir
1924 Joe Whitefield 2035 Butch Peeples 2237 Dominic Schoech
2404 Matthew Simon 1886 Sebastian Schoech 2259 Tyler Sharp
1751 Wade Boyd 1304 AJ Lawhead 35 Dan Beckelic
1779 Gary Chesney 357 Jim Harris 2290 Nicklas Endres
2068 Eric McColley 2448 Keith Wahoski 272 Al Jewett
1630 Cathy Schaub 1942 John Liljeroos 497 Mike Morairty
2466 Jeremy Petee 1852 Rick Licking 2352 Russ Belongia

2020 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE • Labor Day: September 7, 2020 - Paid Day Off
• Thanksgiving: November 26, 2020 - Paid Day Off
Emergency repair and snowplow crews will remain • After Thanksgiving: November 27, 2020 - Unpaid Day Off
on-call during Holiday Schedule. • Christmas Eve Day: December 24, 2020 - Unpaid Day Off
• Christmas Day: December 25, 2020 - Paid Day Off
• Good Friday: April 10, 2020 - Off At Noon • New Year’s Eve: December 31, 2020 - Unpaid Day Off
• Memorial Day: May 25, 2020 - Paid Day Off • New Year’s Day: January 1, 2021 - Unpaid Day Off
• Independence Day (observed): July 3, 2020 - Paid Day Off
• Company Picnic: July 25, 2020 - Unpiad Day Off, Schedule Permitting

2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Happy New Year, gang! We can move confidentially into 2020 knowing God
loves us and has our backs! Let us be as stated in
May blessings abound in Psalms, “That person is like a tree planted by streams of
2020! Here is to HOPE water, which yields its fruit in season and whose
in new beginnings and leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
fresh starts.
Hosea 6:3 says “Let May your 2020 be filled with all the FAITH, HOPE, AND
us acknowledge the LOVE you may need from the stream of life. Drink it all in
Lord; let us press on to and flourish. Love ya all, each and every one of you.
acknowledge him. As
surely as the sun rises, Until next month, stay safe and God Bless!
he will appear.”
How great to know He is creating everything anew and Troy
we can rest in FAITH knowing He is with us.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5

RUDDERS AND OARS

Imagine a small row boat. Your goals are It is an important distinction that shows Goals are useful for setting the direction.
like the rudder on the boat. They set the up everywhere in life. Systems are great for actually making
direction and determine where you go. If progress. In fact, the primary benefit of
you commit to one goal, then the rudder • If you’re a coach, your goal is to having a goal is that it tells you what
stays put and you continue moving win a championship. Your system sort of system you need to put in place.
forward. If you flip-flop between goals, is what your team does at practice However, the system itself is what
then the rudder moves all around and it each day. actually achieved the results. 
is easy to find yourself rowing in circles.
• If you’re a writer, your goal is to This brings us to our second key insight.
However, there is another part of the write a book. Your system is the Goals determine your direction. Systems
boat that is even more important than writing schedule that you follow determine your progress. You’ll never get
the rudder: The oars. If the rudder each week. anywhere just by holding the rudder. You
is your goal, then the oars are your have to row. Read the entire article at
process for achieving it. While the rudder • If you’re a runner, your goal is jamesclear.com/goal-setting.
determines your direction, it is the oars to run a marathon. Your system
that determine your progress. is your training schedule for the
month.
This metaphor of the rudder and the
oars helps clarify the difference between • If you’re an entrepreneur, your
systems and goals. goal is to build a million dollar
business. Your system is your
sales and marketing process.

3

AGGREGATES

M-72 Pit

2020, here we go. Perfect vision! J Hulbert
34-CS  
How was Santa? I hope all of you Manufactured sand
enjoyed your families this season. I M-72
know I sure did. The absolute best 2NS trying to keep up
present was being around family and 6-AA for concrete
watching the little ones buzz with pure Lippmann
excitement even though I think Tyler Tad and crew, thank you for traveling!
was just as excited as Henry was. Todd’s Welding
Hazmag
What is your New Year’s resolution? Weight loss? Quit We finally made it to Tri-Cities before Doug retired…just before
smoking? Overall better health and fitness? Maybe you just Eagle
want to open a new door and get a whiff of that New Year Manistee
smell. Maybe you tried last year and didn’t make a goal. Give Ludington
it another shot. You’re worth the effort and no stranger to
success. You can do it. I believe in you! I guess I’m just trying to say THANK YOU for a great 2019
season. YOU ALL ROCK!!!!
We had several things to be proud of this last season. First of
all, SAFETY. You all did a fantastic job with MSHA and going The 2020 work load is already looking impressive. I wonder
home every day in one piece. I can’t express enough how what else the new year will have in store for us? One awesome
proud we are of that accomplishment. Kudos to all. thing, God willing, I will be a Grandpa again in June! J

You also had a lot to keep you busy in 2019. Looking back, Be SAFE, Happy New Year and Smile!
there were some tough projects but you did an amazing
Elmer’s job, team! Remember: Todd
Alpena
Lafarge Bauxite crushing job
Keeping the crews in rip-rap

4

COMMUNICATIONS

Reflecting on 2019 brings many “If goals are our GPS, guiding our
positive memories both personal direction for the year, inspiration is our
and professional. From having Mike engine, providing the fuel and power
Putney, Craig Cook, Tom Carey, Zach
Broad, and Tony Lawhead show the for actually getting there.”
9 & 10 News anchor how to install a -Brett Steenbarger
fire hydrant on 8th Street and literally
signing their name to it to seeing Team Elmer’s Mid-Winter Break - Great Wolf Lodge
our equipment take a barge ride to
work on Mackinac Island, from the Details:
continuous movement of the concrete and crushing operations February 1, 2020 - 10 am - 8pm
to the behind the scenes support fixing our equipment and Reservations Required (www.
getting new asphalt silos installed and conveyors to work – it teamelmers.com/great-wolf-
was all amazing to witness. Thank you for letting me serve with lodge)
you.
Attending For The Day
2019 felt like I was behind the entire time; not sure if it was Wristbands & Cards will be mailed to your home address.
the late spring or the need for more crew but it was a sprint Wristbands required for Park Entry.
the entire year. I’m hoping to close that chapter and get Please bring them with you Feb 1, 2020.
ahead in 2020 and have a focused, clear objective as part of
a larger vision. We have one at Team Elmer’s: Build Better Staying Overnight
Communities. How am I going to do that in 2020? What are You Will Receive Your Water Park Passes at Check-In
you going to do in 2020? I was reading an article in Forbes (up to 4 per room depending on number of guests in the room)
magazine and the writer had some great points how to focus in Additional Wristband & Cards will be mailed to your home
2020. address.
“It’s difficult to see horizons when our noses are to the Wristbands required for Park Entry.
grindstone… Self-help exercises to make inspiration happen Please bring them with you Feb 1, 2020.
are doomed to failure. What is needed to tap into our 2020 vision Rooms not available until 4 pm on check-in day; bring suit to
is a deeper dive into what speaks to us and gives us energy, “ the access park earlier, if desired.
writer Brett Steenbarger wrote. Steenbarger noted another
author’s perspective, “Mark Manson mentioned…’Who you are *Lockers are available for a rental fee
is defined by the values you’re willing to struggle for.’ ”  *Bathrooms/showers/changing rooms are in the waterpark.
Steenbarger went on to add, “We don’t find a purpose for the *These passes are non-refundable.
new year by generating lists of things to do and ever-more
detailed ways of doing them. Rather, we create a purpose - A replacement charge does apply if lost or stolen.
for the new year by tapping into what is so value-able to us *There is no White Pine Ballroom or buffet this year.
that we’re willing to struggle for it. A great start to planning for *No Team Elmer’s representative available day of event.
the year is to take stock of the experiences that were most If you do not receive your items by January 20;
energizing and inspiring for you during the past 12 months. email [email protected] or call 231-943-3443.
Those reflect your values and your strengths, and they are the
building blocks from which you can create your 2020 vision.” 5

Create a 2020 vision. Write it down. Post it where you can see
it. Refer back to it every season. It’s going to be a great 2020
because you’re a part of it. See you there!

Until then,
Be the change you want to see in the world.

Tonya

SAFETY

Call Safety Hotline On Accidents/Injuries ===> 231-735-8660

Hello, 2020! manner but didn’t say anything. A telltale sign is when your
“spidey” sense is triggered or the hair on the back of your
Hopefully everyone had time to rest between eating, neck begins to rise.
opening gifts, and celebrating the start of a new year.
What are your safety goals for the New Year? These goals How do we raise our sense of safety awareness? Training
can be simple or complex. Set the bar high! Remember, plays an enormous role. The safety classes held in
anything is possible with hard work and a positive attitude. the beginning of the year will show hazards the Safety
Safety department goals at the top of the list for 2020 Department has seen in the field and we will be discussing
include reducing the number of personal injury accidents, those. Mentoring also plays a role. Showing newly hired
reducing negative encounters with regulatory agencies, and employees the safe way to complete a job task reduces the
increasing safety awareness through training. Let’s take a risk of injury plus we end up with a better co-worker. Win all
closer look at each of these goals. around.

Personal injury accidents can be reduced by using Let’s make 2020 the safest year yet at Team Elmer’s.
the correct tool for the job, wearing personal protective Until next time, Stay Safe.
equipment, and recognizing a potential hazard (constant
review of jobsites and work areas.) With daily site
inspections and your help, we can accomplish this.

Regulatory safety inspections for 2019 were up from Tom, J& iCma,triBnautch,
previous years. MIOSHA site and facility visits, MSHA site Eric,
visits, EGLE (formerly the Michigan DEQ), and various law
enforcement agency encounters top the list. Each one of
these regulatory agencies are out looking for hazards and
enforcing rules to keep us and the general public safe. If
we recognize these hazards and take care of them before
an inspection or encounter, what have we done? We have
reduced the risk of someone getting injured!

The most important goal is to increase safety awareness.
How many times have you been at a job site and asked
yourself if something is being done in a safe way? Maybe
you even knew something was not being done in a safe

6

40 YEARS RECOGNIZING HARD WORK

35 YEARS 30 YEARS

DARYL POFF GARY HOLCOMBE GREG HERMAN JAMES DEMITROFF JOHN MEDDAUGH TONYA WILDFONG
Truck Driver Fleet Sales Manager Excavation Truck Driver QC Concrete Manager Communications
Traverse City Traverse City Traverse City Traverse City Traverse City Traverse City

25 YEARS JANUARY - APRIL 2020

KEN GARVIN RICK THOMAS DOUG CLOUGH KEN KRAUSE Thank you for being a part of the
Foreman Asphalt Foreman - Dirt Excavation team here at Elmer’s. We appreciate
Traverse City Traverse City Traverse City Traverse City your dedication and hard work.
Congratulations on your anniversary!

Troy, Todd, & Tonya

20 YEARS 15 YEARS

PETE ROSA MICHAEL COE ERIC SEABURG KELLY LOOZE DOUGLAS EDGECOMB
Asphalt - Dispatch RediMix Driver Safety Specialist Asphalt Trucking
Traverse City Manistee Traverse City Traverse City Traverse City

10 YEARS OF SERVICE 5 YEARS OF SERVICE

Gerald Novak - Job Shop, TC Sebastian Schoech - Mechanic, TC David Ratajczak - Concrete, Tri-City
Joel Oliver - Aggregate, Maple City Joshua Schaub - Communications, TC John Liljeroos - Excavation, TC
Steven Vermeesch - Quality Control Tech - Asphalt, TC Kegan Coger - Aggregate, Maple City Ryan Groleau - Equipment Manager, TC
Joseph Letzkus - Concrete, Tri-City Chris Herman - Excavation, TC Aurora Walsh - Trucking, TC
Donald Brand - Aggregate, Maple City Jason Barcomb - Excavation, TC Joe Whitefield - Excavation, TC
David Wendels - Concrete, TC Keith Watson - Concrete, TC Travis Trobaugh - Asphalt, TC
Daniel Drenth - Trucking, Ellsworth

7

HUMAN RESOURCES

Career Opportunities

Job openings are online - encourage those interested to apply today!
It’s fast and easy to apply to multiple openings at once.

Visit www.teamelmers.com/careers.

Cindy Karker - left Daily Schedules Online
231-943-5544 | [email protected]
Don’t forget to check your daily schedules for the Traverse City Trucking, Dirt, Asphalt,
Nicole Lesperance - middle and Crane divisions online!
231-943-3110 | [email protected] Go to www.teamelmers.com/schedule
The next day’s schedule is visible the night before.
Kelsey Baker - right
231-943-5577 | [email protected]

Health Assessments COBRA During Layoff
If you elect COBRA continuation coverage, the coverage will be
Have you signed up for your Health Assessment identical to the coverage you currently have under Team Elmer’s
Appointment and completed your Health Assessment group health plan.
Questionnaire?
You will receive your COBRA packet from TASC (TPA company
If you were covered under Team Elmer’s group health benefits administering COBRA and FSA for 44North) with instructions on
prior to 8/31/2019, you must participate in Wellness to receive a how to continue your group health benefits during lay off. Please
reduced rate on your group health benefits. call 44 North at 1-855-306-1099 with any questions.*

If you and your spouse have not signed up for your health assessments *YOU MUST COMPLETE THE COBRA PAPERWORK
this month, please do so today! It is mandatory that you and your AND RETURN IT TO TASC TO RETAIN YOUR GROUP
spouse participate if you wish to enroll in low cost benefits for the HEALTHCARE COVERAGE WHILE YOU ARE LAID OFF,
coming plan year (May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021). Instructions on EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY A MONTHLY
how to complete your health risk questionnaire and how to sign up for PREMIUM.
your health assessment appointment online (new employee portal this
year) were mailed to your home and are available at TeamElmers.com.
The questionnaire must be completed prior to your scheduled health
assessment appointment. Please contact Jackie at OnSite Wellness:
Office: 616-309-2778 Fax: 616-309-2770, if you have any questions.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM ELMER’S FAMILY!

A daughter, Harper Leigh, 8lbs 15oz., 21.5”
Born November 29 to Gary and Briana Yager.
RediMix Driver, TC

8

Wellness Assessments

When and Where

West Branch Friday, January 10
Quality Inn 7:00 am to 12:00 noon
2980 Cook Rd
Saturday, January 11
Hillman 7:00 am to 12:00 noon
Brush Creek Mill
121 State St. Hillman Thursday – Saturday, January 16-18
6:00 am – 12:00 noon
Traverse City
Big Training Room

Petoskey Friday, January 24
Hampton Inn 8:00 am – 12:00 noon
920 Spring St Petoskey
Saturday, January 25
Reed City 8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Reed City Depot
200 Chestnut St Reed City

Who Must Participate

Employees and Spouses - if enrolled in our plan

You MUST complete the following to receive reduced health care costs for 2020.
Schedule an appointment online for one of the biometric screenings noted above.

(Individual appointments are required for both employee and spouse)
Complete the online Health Questionnaire (spouse, too!)

All of this is available on your NEW Wellness portal; information sent out in the mail.

And earn 5 out of the following 6 points (completed at the screenings above); each one is worth 1 point:
• BMI 30.0 or less at the 2020 screening OR a waist circumference of 35 inches or less for women or 40 inches or less for men.

• Blood Pressure reading of 140/90 or less at the 2020 screening.
• Tobacco/Nicotine Free.

• LDL Cholesterol at 130 or below at the 2020 screening.
• Provide Proof of Annual Dental Cleaning (January 2019-March 2020)
• Provide Proof of Preventative Physical (March 16, 2018-March 15, 2020)

(Did you know your DOT physical counts?)

9

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Greetings! planner. You may even sit down with an
Well, another year has come and gone. attorney and draft a will or a trust.
It has been a pleasure to walk with many Is this the year where you make the decision
of you through both good times and some to work on strengthening some of your
challenging times of life. I can’t wait to see closest relationships? Maybe it’s time to call
what God has in store for 2020. Cindy and see if there are any open spots to
attend the Weekend to Remember couples
“Let us not There are some exciting things happening weekend in Grand Rapids. Maybe you set
become weary this month. First of all, the men’s a goal to spend more one-on-one time with
in doing good Wednesday morning Bible study in Traverse each of your family members.
city will be studying the Book of Acts
for at the starting on January 8. If you are interested I love to set goals because it helps me to
proper time in joining us, we meet at 6:00 am in the focus on changing. I am a firm believer that
we will reap a Broadroom. A new women’s Bible study life is more exciting when I’m growing and
harvest if we entitled, Seamless, will be starting on the changing than if I am choosing to remain the
do not give 15th in Traverse City. We will spend seven same.
weeks learning how the entire Bible comes The key to setting goals and changing is
up.” together as one complete story. Let me following through. It is sticking to the plan
know if you are interested. and not giving up.
Galations 6:9
For those of you in the Petoskey area, we It is a wonderful feeling to meet a goal. That
will be offering a Financial Peace class accomplishment can happen for you if don’t
based on the same format as our Traverse quit.
City class. We will be meeting on three
consecutive Saturdays being March 7, 14, Happy New Year!
and 21, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. We will be
giving away prizes each week. If you or any Tom
family members are interested in attending,
please contact me at 231-218-1042 or at
[email protected].

Often times we look at the New Year as an
opportunity to make some changes in our
life. It may be that we decide to make some
healthy lifestyle changes by changing our
diet or starting an exercise routine. Maybe
you make the decision to get your finances
in a different place. You and your spouse
may decide to sit down with a financial

January 11, 18, and 25

9am-3pm Cambria Hotel on Munson
Avenue in TC

Contact Tom Shelder
231-218-1042 or

[email protected]

10

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

M-185 EMERGENCY REPAIR

M-185, the 8.2 mile roadway on Mackinac Island, has been
affected by high water levels. Some areas have been washed
away due to high winds kicking up aggressive waves,
causing further erosion to the shoreline. The focus for the
project was to deal with the asphalt damage and repair the
road base. Team Elmer’s was awarded the contract the week
before Thanksgiving and a crew from Hillman has completed
work on the temporary repairs. Installation of rip-rap rock
and other erosion-control methods were completed along the
north-east and east side of the Island. The rip-rap rock was
transported by Shelper’s barge and came from Team Elmer’s
Quarry in Alpena. A big challenge throughout the project for
the crew was the wind.

11

WHAT WE’RE UP TO ‘ROUND THE STATE

Big Rapids High School Pour

Michael Wichmann

Gabriel Archangel Church John Boyd

Empire Beach Troy Broad
TC Christmas Open House

Bill McConnell Rod Keillor
Omer

M-185
Mackinac Island

EXCAVATION

Empire Beach Shoreline Project

I sincerely hope everyone had a be crazy and we were fortunate to pick up an MDOT job
wonderful Christmas with plenty widening US-31 from Chums Corner to past Materne for
of food, fun, and time spent with next year.
family and friends. Enjoy the
warmer weather and dry roads for NOTE: Due to some scheduling changes, employee reviews
a few minutes as I am sure things will not be the week of January 13th but will be moved to
will turn around soon and winter later in the month. You will get a card in the mail once the
will return. schedule is finalized.

With the 2019 season behind us, we remain unusually busy Excavation Division training dates are March 25, 26, & 27.
in the field. This is due in part to the lack of snow to plow but Please watch your mailbox for other training dates and
also due to the unseasonably warm weather we have been times.
experiencing. With the exception of Chelsea Park, where we
continue to put in pipe and dig and backfill for foundations, Thanks to everyone for all of your hard work that ended
and a handful of other commercial and residential in another successful season. We are blessed to have so
foundation projects, most of the crews are doing some form many hard working and dedicated employees.
of shoreline work. We’ve been busy with small stone rip-rap
walls on inland lakes, large stone on Lake Michigan, and Good health and happiness to you in 2020 and, until next
helical piers to shore up some sagging foundations. month, keep calm & dig on!

Based on the record water levels of the Great Lakes and the Max
forecast for next season, we will almost certainly continue
to be busy with shoreline projects throughout 2020. Just
last week we had crews on four shoreline projects from
Carmuese Limestone in Rogers City to Northport Point,
Empire, and even a crew in Grand Haven placing some
emergency stone until the permits are approved to go back
and do the remainder of the work.
Bidding has been slow with the holidays but January will

14

HILLMAN REPORT

Mackinac Island

Happy New Year, everyone, and welcome to My goals for 2020 is for it to be much dryer,
2020! always just the right temperature outside, all the
crews will have the right amount of help, Dave
“Tell me and I hope everybody had a great holiday season and Kelly will have trucks whenever they need
I forget, teach and enjoyed some well-deserved time off. them, Tim and Todd will have any aggregate
I know I did as I was able to spend some of any quantity they may need at whatever pit
quality time with our grandkids! We had two they need it, we’ll all have the right tools and
great Christmas parties this year in Hillman equipment, Brian will have same day truck and
and Petoskey. Thank you, all, for coming and equipment repairs, and our schedules will flow
apologies to the Hillman families that were at as smoothly as the chocolate at the summer
the end of the food line. We weren’t anticipating party. J Not sure which goal I’ll hit first but I’m
school getting canceled and didn’t adjust the sure going to try!
food order accordingly. L
Remember, it’s the off-season so everybody
me and I may 2019 was a very interesting year. About the needs to get their dentist and doctoring needs
remember, time we got started, so did the rain that never taken care of now before all the fun breaks
seemed to quit. Naturally, we started the year loose in the spring!
involve me and I out with three water loving, slippery clay jobs
learn.” - Poet down in the Thumb, Victories, and the Until next month, rest hard and have fun!
new office facility in Petoskey. Then we went to
--Benjamin Mio where the ditches we were trying to grade Mike
Franklin were full of water and ran like rivers. We had
a little reprieve with the Gaylord City Streets 15
project and Camp Petosega as they were sand
projects. Then, as the autumn rains really got
started, we were in St. Ignace for the Atkins
and Maxton Road crush and shapes where
we became really good at making mud! Still,
everybody kicked butt and got through the
challenges better than expected. Thank you,
crews, for all your hard work and determination!

CONCRETE simple things like wearing a seatbelt every time we get in the
truck.
Happy New Year! See you all in reviews this winter, unless you are in Florida
like some of the lucky ones. I look forward to sitting down and
2019 was another good season for chatting about the year overall and how we can get better!
the Concrete division overall. We
handled some very difficult MDOT Jason
work, agricultural projects made a
resurgence in a few markets, and
residential construction still seems
strong.

The PCA is predicting a slight increase in concrete nationwide.
This is always an indicator for what we can expect for 2020.
My goal for the year is more of the same. That sounds boring
but, if we keep customer service as our priority, we will be able
to put together another good year. We have been truly blessed
to have had a healthy economy the last few years. I look
forward to keeping the ball rolling, the plates spinning, and the
drums turning.

My other goal is to continue reducing accidents. We will talk
more about this in training. Please be vigilant about using
mirrors, cameras, and sensors when backing up. Make sure
to do a quick once over of the job before we pull in and also
before we pull out. And, of course, we need to keep doing the

Gladwin Garage Floor Pour
Chris Stevens

16

ASPHALT

Domors on US-131

Happy New Year, Team! I I will be sending out invites for reviews starting in late
hope you all had a very Merry February. Please watch for those in your mailbox. I’ll look
Christmas. Maybe you’ve set forward to seeing you all and hearing your thoughts and
some great New Year’s goals ideas on how we can keep getting better.
in preparation for all you may Thanks again for a great 2019 season. I hope you all
encounter in 2020.   agree it was a great season; great because all of you
made it possible. I have a sincere appreciation of the
Winter is flying by at a rapid effort that goes into every job we do. You should be proud
pace and things have been of every job we successfully built.
extremely busy here in Until next month, stay safe.
the office. The work load is still looking very healthy
for the 2020 season with a lot of work yet to be bid Brian
on. Thankfully, all our work is close by and there is no
need to go any further than our usual seven surrounding 17
counties. I’ll be able to fill you in more next month on what
kind of work we’ll have.

Domor rebuilds have begun. Yes, you heard me
correctly. Domors are being rebuilt!  We won’t be able
to get through all of them but we should have a handful
completed by spring at least. Paver inspections are
complete and now Al and Dean are starting their usual
maintenance program of replacing wear parts, etc. There
are no major plant upgrades this year; figured we’d give
Scott and John a year off from too much stress in the off-
season. Stop on in if you have a list of things we need to
address equipment wise through the winter.

WELLNESS

Moving Into The New Year!

Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions, gym memberships, weight-loss goals, and the

newest dieting trends. This time of year can either benefit you or burden you in your

journey towards better health and it's up to you to choose how to ring in the New Year.

FETCH the Benefits of the New Year

Focus

Feeling bombarded with the newest trends and quickest weight fixes? It's easy to get
caught up and overwhelmed by all the health 'shoulds' and 'should-nots' of the new year.
But instead of getting swept away by it all, stay grounded by focusing on what is most
important to you. Make clear and specific goals that will help you stay focused on your
health this year.

Energy

Whether it's a new week, new month, or new year, having a clean slate and a fresh start
can boost our energy and eagerness for the future. What excites you about the year
ahead? Jot down three things you are looking forward to.

Time

New Year’s resolutions are not called 'January resolutions' for a reason; they are meant
to be long-term resolutions, decisions, and goals. When you think about your intentions
for the upcoming year, give yourself time and be patient for change.

Change

Speaking of change, what changes do you want to make? Do you want to sleep more?
Find more time in the week to practicing relaxing activities? Connect more with close
friends? How about making it a priority to manage stress in healthy ways? Write down a
few changes you want to make this new year and include why you want to make them.

Habits

Being that we are creatures of habit, the new year is the perfect time to pause
everything and hone in on your habits. What habits in the past year helped you? What
habits hindered you? What one new habit will you commit to practicing this new year?

Healthy Recipe

Ingredients Broccoli and Black Bean Quesadillas

1 cup cooked black In a large mixing bowl, mash beans. Drain salsa and add to beans. Mix
beans cheese into beans and salsa. Chop broccoli and add to bean mix.

1/4 cup salsa Heat oil in frying pan on medium. Lay tortilla flat on plate. Using 1/4 of
bean mixture, fill half of tortilla, folding other half over mixture.
4 ounces cheese
Place folded tortilla in pan and cook 3—4 minutes, or until lightly
1 cup cooked broccoli browned. Flip and cook other side.

1 tbsp. olive oil Remove from pan, cut in half. Repeat with remaining tortillas and bean
mixture.
4 8-inch whole wheat
tortillas Recipe adapted from Cornell University blog.

Questions? Ask Jackie.

616-309-2778
[email protected]

18

MECHANICS

Happy New Year! I’m wishing Boerma, David Ellsworth, Scott Schoech, Wade Boyd, and John
everyone an awesome 2020! Jeffrey. A lot of laughs were definitely embedded among those
12,000 work orders.
Looking back, 2019 turned out to be
a pretty darn good year highlighted For 2020, I’m looking forward to building on what we already
by leaving one amazing team at the have going. Certainly, we will take care of our 1000+ pieces
Coast Guard Air Station to join another of equipment with the best possible repairs/ services for our
equally amazing team at Elmer’s last customers in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
July. That should go unsaid. More importantly, my goal is to make
it the best possible place to work. On average, a person will
Thanks to everyone who has welcomed me into my new “work spend 1/3 of their life at work. That’s a LOT of time so why
family”. It’s only been six months and a lot of great moments not make the most of it? I hope you realize by now that I like
are already etched into my brain. The shops handled over to treat everyone like family – my WORK FAMILY! We spend
12,000 work orders this past year and also mixed in a little fun too much time together not to. Troy, Todd, and Tonya have
along the way. My face lights up like the CherryT Ball when provided the foundation of what a great company can look like;
I think about the people and culture we’re developing in our meaningful projects that make our communities better, excellent
shops. Tops on the list have to be seeing Eric Smith, Dominic benefits and wage scales, trust, independence, and a fun work
Schoech, Dan Matznick, Andy Dahl and Kevin Pease’s smiling environment. Recognizing and being grateful for that is up to
faces and positive attitudes as they attack each day, watching each of us.
the “masterpieces and artwork” produced by our talented weld
and paint shops (Mark Korson, Jake Ristow, Jeff Dreffs, Connor Finally, as we roll into a new year, please commit to making
Campbell) (Steve Molloseau, Jeremy Symons) and, of course, safety a cornerstone in your life, both at work and home.
seeing ALL of our mechanics and service techs in ALL of our People care about you. Make smart decisions, follow policy and
shops making service & repairs great again – Brian Smith and procedures, and watch out for each other. Wherever I’ve been,
our Hillman folks included! What I learned very quickly is that it’s often been a challenge to get folks to “buy-in” to a strong
we have an outstanding and talented bunch of folks who care safety culture and, when they don’t, terrible things inevitably
about the success of Team Elmer’s. They inspire me to do more happen. You can only roll the dice so many times. We need your
for THEM every day. “buy-in” every day, all day!

Also unforgettable was watching Torey Proffer and Dominic Keep ‘em rollin’!
experience Vegas for the first time at M+ training, Jeff Rider
popping up behind the parts counter and scaring the living Ma rk
daylights out of me, watching Ethan Schoech tear into free
doughnuts in the trailer shop, being on the receiving end of the
master of shenanigans, Mr. Chase Bates, too many times to
mention, and sharing “war stories” with Ryan Groleau, Doug

“Carefulness
costs you nothing.
Carelessness may
cost you your life!”

19

TRUCKING

Clint Howard

Get A Lead of This a large tonnage deadline. Our team never fails to show me
that no other company could possibly pull off as much work
2019 was a year of great as we do and still maintain the same level of professionalism.
accomplishments. For me, it was a
year that reminded me why I came What are the 2020 New Year’s resolutions for the Trucking
to Team Elmer’s; to work with a division? Let’s resolve to have no major equipment damages.
dynamic team and get things done. We almost made it through 2019 but then suffered a few
Bad weather didn’t stop us from accidents in the last couple of months. We will discuss this in
doing what we do best and we Truck Driver Training in March.
managed to record over 3.7-million
miles and over 130,000-hours on the tractor trucks and Let’s resolve to get our CSA Score lower. This is a major goal
tandems. and a realistic goal. Do we all understand that our CSA score
affects our ability to be awarded jobs? We won’t get hired if
Some of the top trucking projects that showed what we we show we are not safe. If we don’t get hired we won’t be
are capable of included the US-31/M-37 mill and pave. We needing drivers. Utility hits were up in 2019 mainly because
performed that at night with less than 20 trucks running to we were not being careful enough or rushing to get the job
keep 4 mills and 3 pavers moving along without a problem. done. We will be shooting for zero incidents in 2020.
Talk about great teamwork. We moved 1,500-tons of
limestone rip-rap to Cheboygan Dock for Mackinac Island Let’s resolve to have zero incidents related to backing up.
shoreline repairs in less than 3 days. This helped our crews We still had numerous cases last year that always leaves me
get started on the project ASAP to get it completed early. Did wondering why.
you know we were not even the lowest bidder on that job but
it was awarded to us because of our track record of being Lastly, there will be no more excuses for Seat Belt Violations.
dependable and efficient? It Is The Law.

We swiftly handled the US-131 Petoskey concrete job where Most of our accidents and damages are related to rushing,
the contractor suddenly and unexpectedly ordered State taking shortcuts, or thinking we can get around safety
spec concrete for same day delivery. We didn’t have enough protocol. Safety is No.1 priority.
State Certified Materials in the Alanson yard to complete
the large order but, with some quick adjusting and switching If 2020 is “perfect vision”, let’s resolve to Keep Safety In
things around at 9am that day, we were able to get more than Focus!
enough State Spec materials to Alanson in time. This team
understands diversified and flexible as a winning strategy. Jim
We are up for the numerous customer challenges, be it

20 squeezing into some offbeat delivery site to unload or making

CRANES & RIGGING

The New Year is here and 2020 is We finished up and I left to go about my day, confident with
going to be Elmer’s great! what was going on at my new homestead.

All of us in Crane & Rigging are still I came home that night hoping my project would look like I
picking stuff up and setting it down. As had pictured in my mind. JACKPOT!! PURE BLACK GOLD!!
we all know, working and dealing with As I walked up the newly laid asphalt (couldn’t drive because
winter conditions creates an added of the protective blue tape), everything was exactly as I
degree of difficulty to an already had discussed with Rick. Taper, width, raised edge, etc., it
challenging job. Al, Jim, Rod, Randy, was all there. It was only base but it looked great!  HAPPY,
Mark, Tom, Brian, Venice, and Gus HAPPY, HAPPY!! Sure, I am a member of the Elmer’s team
meet the winter challenge every day with a get-r-done attitude, but that day I was also the customer. Throughout the entire
always kicking butt and taking names. I am privileged to be process, Brian, Pete, Bob, and Rick’s crew made me feel like
able to continue to learn from and work alongside these fine my project was their project. It was important to them that I
Elmer’s men and women. Thank you, all! received the best job possible. Nice job, team! Big thanks to
Rick, Kelly, Travis, Marv, Chris, and Zachary. All of these men
Let me write from the perspective of a customer. I built a new showed respect for my project and property. They displayed
house this past year. After the usual unexpected delays, we professionalism, knowledge of their job, and did it with a smile
moved in at the end of September. The driveway to the new and a friendly wave.
place is roughly 500’ long with a multiple car parking area
at the garage. There is a small hill in it and I wanted to get it I know I was just one customer with one small project and one
paved to avoid any destructive erosion to the grade during the specific crew on the enormous Elmer’s dashboard list of jobs,
winter months. but this is how our entire company operates on a daily basis at
all locations across the state. A lot of great people do a lot of
I got Peace on the line and scheduled up some asphalt. With extraordinary things here. There might be a rare snafu every
a bit of haggling, we were on Pete’s schedule. A Saturday now and then but take into consideration we work at such a
visit from Mr. Blonshine with his green machine and we were high level of professionalism day in and day out, year after
graded up and ready for the black stuff. Our scheduled day year.
came as well as some rain. After a 2-hour delay, Pete called
me and said, “It’s a go. Rick’s crew is on the way”. I met Rick Asphalt, Aggregates, Concrete, Cranes, Dirt, Trucking, and
and his band of merry men on location. Asphalt guys piled out internal folks are all operating like Rick’s crew did at my house
of all sorts of trucks and, as soon as their boots hit the ground, – EVERYDAY!! Simply amazing! I’ve seen it with my own eyes
they all politely greeted me then were immediately busy. so I know it’s true.
They unloaded equipment and hand tools, watering rollers,
preparing for the layout of the project at hand. I met Rick at Let’s continue dispensing that special brand of Elmer’s Great
the drive entrance and we walked the entire project discussing and make 2020 the best year yet.
what was to be done; tapers here, raised edge on this side,
desired width, how the parking area was to lay out, etc. Rick Conduct is the best proof of character.
listened to all I had to say. He went over details to make sure
we were both on the same page and made some experienced Kent
suggestions of his own that would make the project go better.

Cross
Gabriel Orthodox Church

21

PICKLE HIGHLIGHTS

1 SERVICE GIVE ‘EM
THE PICKLE
Make serving others
your #1 priority. Mark and Bones
have been helping
You’re in a noble profession. Traverse City ring in
Be proud of what you do and the New Year for
11 years at the
where you work. CherryT Ball Drop.
Happy New Year!
2 ATTITUDE

Choose your attitude.
How you think about customers

is how you will treat them.
Remember your mental
“I Like Yous!”

3 CONSISTENCY

Customers return because they
like what happened last time.

Stick to your high
service standards.

4 TEAMWORK

Go out of your way
to make each other look good.

Everything you do ends up
in front of the customer.

22

PICKLE HIGHLIGHTS

Thanks for going above and beyond!

23

AN EOE/AA EMPLOYER PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
3600 Rennie School Road
Traverse City, MI 49685 PAID
TRAVERSE CITY, MI

PERMIT #568

TEAM ELMERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Team Elmer’s is proud to award education Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City is available to any Team
scholarships for the dependents of our Elmer’s employee dependent who will be enrolled in classes for Summer
employees. This year, we will be awarding 2020 or Fall 2020. The certificate must be used for up to 15 contact hours
at least: by December 31, 2020. Certificate has no cash value, cannot be extended,
or transferred.
Three (3) $500 Elmer’s Education
Scholarships One (1) $1,000 Trades Scholarship
Team Elmer’s scholarships are available The $1,000 Trades Scholarship is available to any Team Elmer’s employee
to employee dependents 16 years or older dependent who will be enrolled in an accredited Career and Technical
planning to attend college, or students Education Program, including skills utilized in the Trucking, Heavy
already in college. A copy of college class schedule may be required Construction and Road Building, Testing, Mining, Construction, Welding,
before the final award payment. HVAC, or Electrical, pursuing a career in the construction industry. A copy
of college class schedule may be required before the final award payment.
One (1) $1,000 Elmer’s Believes FPU Scholarship
The $1,000 Elmer’s Believes Financial Peace University Scholarship is Enter online:
for any dependent of an Elmer’s employee 16 years or older planning to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/scholarship-2020
extend their education. The applicant must attend and complete a Dave Please submit a 250 word or less essay answering the following; Explain a
Ramsey Financial Peace University Course. The applicant must provide recent realization or something you have noticed in the last month and why
a copy of the certificate of completion for the FPU course or the instructor it sparked recognition.
name and location. Elmer’s will pay for the $100 FPU class kit regardless
of essay submission. (Financial Peace University classes in Traverse City, All applications must be received by March 31, 2020. Essays will be
January 11, 18, and 25 and March 7, 14, and 21, in Petoskey. Please judged and recipients will be announced in the May 2020 Team Elmer’s
email [email protected] for more details.) newsletter. Recipients will also be notified directly via email about how to
claim their prize. These are non-renewable scholarships. You must submit
One (1) NMC Scholarship for up to 15 Contact Hours each year to be eligible for the award.
The In-District $1,550.50 or Out of District $3,079.50 scholarship to