The Dirt - November

Building Better Communities

6 SAFETY MONTHLY COMMUNICATOR
11 PROJECT OF THE MONTH
18 WELLNESS NOVEMBER 2019

CONTENTS

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

HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS!

011 THOMAS FRENCH 1258 TYLER BROAD 2254 JESSE MISIAK
2090 CATRINA DARLING 2366 SEAN MACDONALD 2015
944 ALEXANDER MCCONNELL 439 JEFFERY NEWMAN 2363 TODD LASH
104 TONYA WILDFONG 2081 DAVID ELLSWORTH 2508
1530 BRIAN SMITH 2424 BRADON LOWE 2413 RANDY WILSON
1685 ERIC WARNES 2468 SCOTT CZARNECKI
1469 SCOTT PRIMEAU 2507 WILLIAM SHAW 657 ROBERT UPTEGRAFT
1256 NICHOLAS BROAD 2272 TRISTON CASEY 1912
1818 HAILEY HERMES 1187 ROSEANN OVERMYER 2359 CHRISTOPHER
1404 EDWARD LEY 1500 DALTON FITZSIMONS 2235
2041 JEREMIAH MARCERO 2274 THOMAS NEWMAN 2415 LITTLEBEARSPARKS
1571 JEFFREY ALLEN 988 THOMAS PATTERSON 2519
2431 JOHN BOYD 227 DUANE KOTT 2141 JENNIFER BENSON
1183 BARRY LOWE 1684 MICHAEL PUTNEY 2401
1557 YVONNE NIEDZWIECKI 1913 IRVIN MEACHUM 229 JOSHUA SCHAUB
2164 RANCE CARPENTER 2390 ADAM SCRIBNER 1309
020 VICTOR KIESSEL 1615 JASON SCHULTZ DARRYL KOTT
1719 ZACHARY WENDELS 2189 JOSHUA FOCKLER
AARON VANDEVOORDE

IZIK FLAUGHER

BENJAMIN TROWBRIDGE

FRANCIS HINCKS

JOEL LYMAN

DAN HARRIGAN

COREY BROAD

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE • New Year’s Eve: December 31, 2019 - Unpaid Day Off
• New Year’s Day: January 1, 2020 - Unpaid Day Off
Emergency repair and snowplow crews will remain • Good Friday: April 10, 2020 - Off At Noon
on-call during Holiday Schedule. • Memorial Day: May 25, 2020 - Paid Day Off
• Independence Day (observed): July 3, 2020 - Paid Day Off
• Thanksgiving: November 28, 2019 - Paid Day Off • Company Picnic: July 25, 2020 - Unpiad Day Off, Schedule Permitting
• After Thanksgiving: November 29, 2019 - Unpaid Day Off • Labor Day: September 7, 2020 - Paid Day Off
• Christmas Eve Day: December 24, 2019 - Unpaid Day Off
• Christmas Day: December 25, 2019 - Paid Day Off

2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hey, gang! and of themselves. They’re just not appropriate gauges
Are you still loving the in the context of a well lived, purposeful life. Using
colors, pumpkin donuts, such a gauge is like using a thermometer to measure
and frosty mornings? the weight of a steel beam. It doesn’t work. Likewise,
I’ve never seen so many improper gauges won’t work for measuring the true
of you this excited for quality of our lives. We must create and calibrate new
layoffs!  Yep. It’s that gauges, ones that can properly measure our lives, ones
time while still pushing that measure the right stuff.
for the finish line! Snow
plow lists are growing God has been asking me if I have been doing his work,
and we’re getting them or my own? Work is the easy choice to make, but have
set for the year. Thank I been investing in my family? He has questions like,
you, all, for doing such a great job again this season. how am I doing as a husband, as a father, as a friend, a
neighbor? How am I doing towards becoming the man
I’ve been wrestling with a question lately and would God intended me to become? Yep. Like I said, left me
like to ask you the same. Are you pleased with where raw... 
you are spending your time? We always seem to
be rushing around with so much to do with too many So what do we do? I have a challenge for you to
places to rush to, busying ourselves beyond our ability undertake next month as things become even busier
to complete anything well. Are you happy with how you with the holidays. Let’s measure things that are much
end up spending your time? I know God has asked me harder to do than work; things like how many nights you
this question lately, and my answer has left me feeling are home for dinner or how often you sit down and pray
a bit raw.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the with your wife or girlfriend. Measure how often you have
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing conversations with your sons or daughters about their
of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve dreams or their fears or how often you drop what you’re
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” doing to spend time with friends. Start measuring for the
eternal versus the now. Start measuring for God. Start
We all love to measure things. We have at our measuring the hard things, but start today.
disposal highly accurate gauges for measuring just
about anything, including the progress of our lives. I Usually, the hardest things to accomplish are the most
mean, we never have to wonder which careers are rewarding. Here’s hoping this holds true for you.
most prestigious, which jobs are most coveted, which
neighborhoods are most exclusive, which vacations are Until next month, stay safe and God Bless!
most glamorous, or which cars are most luxurious. Our
culture makes sure those gauges remain well calibrated. Troy
We find in Mark 4:24, “Consider carefully what you
hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be
measured to you—and even more.”

Material things are not proper gauges for measuring
progress of any life. There’s nothing wrong with
glamorous careers, communities, or expensive cars in

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Roman 12:2

3

101 Ways for Your Family to Make a Difference

1. Participate in Operation Christmas Child. 23. Become a sponsor to help-
2. Babysit for a single mom. pregnant girls in Kenya.
3. Teach compassion with a Family Giving Box.
4. Write a Family Mission Statement. 24. Bake a birthday cake for an
5. Bake cookies for your local fire department. underprivileged child.
6. Pick up trash at a local park as a family field trip.
7. Create snack packs for Ronald McDonald House. 25. Serve at home: make each other’s
8. Welcome a new family to the neighborhood with a dessert beds, clean up someone else’s mess.
and an introduction.
9. Pray for the poor of the world. 26. Write thank-you notes to people
10. Color a coloring page for Color a Smile to be given to lift who serve you: postman, landscaper,
someone in need up. doctor.
11. Make a baby care kit for a baby in need.
12. Take time each week to unplug as a family. 27. Sponsor a child monthly.
13. Donate your time or treasure to the Make a Wish
Foundation. 28. Make relief kits for disaster
14. Appreciate your church staff in some small, tangible way. victims.
15. Do yardwork for an elderly neighbor.
16. Make a Life Book for a child in Foster Care. 29. Sew a sleeping bag for someone
17. Read You Were Made to Make A Difference as a family. in need.
18. Volunteer to cuddle babies at the hospital (older kids/teens
are often allowed also). 30. Volunteer for a non-profit.
19. Read Christmas Jars as a family.
20. Save loose change in a jar and give it to a needy family at 31. Create hygiene bags to hand out to homeless people.
Christmas.
21. Take a family volunteering vacation. 32. Take a family tour of the local Red Cross.
22. Stop and say thank you to grocery clerks and servers at
restaurants. Ask how they are doing. 33. Pick a date monthly for a Family Service Night.

4 34. Deliver a meal to a family that has a newborn baby.

35. Create a card for a new Habitat for Humanity homeowner.

36. Encourage your older children to be a helper to a mom
who has young kids.

37. Fill a backpack and give it to a homeless person.

38. Make birthday cards and deliver them to a local nursing
home monthly.

39. Donate books to Africa.

40. Take your kids to a local food pantry with canned goods to
donate.

41. Deliver food for Meals on Wheels.

42. Pray as a family on a regular basis for the people in your
life.

43. Donate your hair to Locks of Love.

44. Give blood. Take your kids with you and explain the
importance.

45. Donate nice toys to a children’s hospital for kids who have
cancer.

46. Buy a mosquito net for/through a malaria prevention
organization.

47. Randomly celebrate each other with a special treat, meal,
or time.

48. Donate school supplies to a classroom in need.

49. Compliment and thank the teachers in your life.

50. Buy a soccer ball for a child in poverty.

51. Give a bicycle to a homeless person. to change life for a family in a third world country.

52. Donate coloring books/crayons to hospital ER. 78. Smile. At everyone.

53. Give up coffee for 4 weeks and donate $ to charity. 79. Make care packages for children in the hospital.

54. Give clothes to a family in need (call your church/school 80. Instead of birthday gifts, ask for donations to a charity or
to find one). food for a food pantry.

55. Read to a special needs child. 81. Shop fair trade.

56. Drink no beverages except for water for two weeks and 82. Offer to decorate hospital hallways during the holidays.
give the money you save to an organization that provides 83. Ask your city about volunteering to remove graffiti.
clean water to people who need it. 84. Host a Lemon-AID stand and donate the proceeds to
57. Buy a goat for a family in extreme poverty. charity.
58. Give a donation in a loved one’s name to an 85. Make no-sew fleece blankets for Hospice.
organization you believe in. 86. Collect school supplies for African children.
59. Send your used shoes to Reuse-a-Shoe. 87. Send a care package to our military.
60. Become Certified Respite Caregivers to babysit for 88. Read the Bible together as a family every day.
foster families. 89. Collect shoes for an organization that provides shoes
61. Decorate for Christmas at an elderly person’s house. for kids who need them.
62. Hold a collection drive for a women’s shelter. 90. Let kids choose a charity to donate to for one of their
63. Volunteer at a food bank. Christmas gifts.
64. Deliver popsicles to children at a homeless shelter. 91. Become a foster family.
65. Offer your pet for therapy to the elderly. 92. Pay for someone’s drink in a Starbuck’s drive-through.
66. Deliver homemade art to residents at a nursing home. Make sure your kids witness and enjoy the act of kindness.

67. Have regular “family nights” with games, ice cream, time 93. Help your kids start a neighborhood book group with
together. their peers.

68. Visit a NICU with treats for the doctors and parents. 94. Volunteer to plant flowers at your school or church.

69. Write to unsponsored children. 95. Make a care bag for a child in need.

70. Read to patients at a local hospital. 96. Adopt a child.

71. Plan a family mission trip. 97. Welcome a hero home at the airport.

72. Bake cookies, host a bake sale, and donate the money 98. Play music at assisted living facility.
to the poor or a cause. 99. Complain less.
100. Start a Kindness Club with your family.
73. Volunteer at a local animal shelter. 101. Let your light shine!

74. Plant a garden and share the produce. Reprinted From All Pro Dad

75. Hold a drive for lightly-used stuffed animals for a police
station’s SAFE program.

76. Write letters to servicemen and women.

77. Give a microloan

AGGREGATES

Preempting our columns to COMMUNICATIONS
bring you a moment to be
thankful and give back with Todd & Tonya 5
your family this season. We
are thankful for you.

SAFETY

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

It’s time to put away the lawn mower and prep the snow the key to protecting your hearing when working in loud
blower. Colder temperatures and inclement weather are environments. Prolonged exposure to loud noises above
becoming the norm as of late. Make sure that you are 85 decibels without hearing protection creates permanent
dressing accordingly. Fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of hearing loss. When working in a noisy environment and
the nose are areas most susceptible to frostbite. Extremely you question whether or not the use of hearing is required,
cold temperature can also cause hypothermia, when the there’s an easy rule to follow. If you need to raise your
body’s temperature dips below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. voice to carry on a conversation with your co-worker
Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, who is standing 2-3 feet away from you, hearing
disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and protection is required. Please contact Safety with any
obvious exhaustion. questions regarding the care, proper use, and replacement
of any issued hearing protection.
Spring training classes are being planned. Are you excited!?
Already watching the mailbox for your scheduled date in Lastly, good luck to all of the rifle hunters out there on
anticipation? Yes, it is that time of year again. Safety and November 15th which is fast approaching. The deer are also
division training schedules are being finalized for the 2020 moving, most recently causing incidents involving mixers and
training season. If there are any specific training topics mechanic vehicles. Slowing down in known crossing areas,
that YOU would like to see, please contact your safety especially in early mornings and the twilight hours when
representative. We don’t want to hear a bunch of grumbling they are most active, will greatly decrease the chances of an
about what a waste of your time training is – if there’s interaction and an appointment with the body shop.
something you want to discuss, let us know! We can all learn
from each other’s experiences. Until next month, be safe.

On the DOT side of things, we still seem to be attracting Tom, J& iCma,triBnautch,
the unwanted attention of law enforcement. Not wearing Eric,
seatbelts and speeding are once again the top contenders.
Click-It-Or-Ticket enforcement campaigns have started with
local and state agencies involved in, you guessed it, SEAT
BELT ENFORCEMENT. We can prevent these interactions
by wearing our seatbelts, not speeding, and completing
thorough pre-trip/post-trip inspections.

Hearing protection was recently discussed in one of Troy’s
weekly safety updates. Wearing hearing protection is

6

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Team Elmer’s is proud to One (1) NMC Scholarship for up to 15 Contact Hours
award education scholarships The In-District $1,550.50 or Out of District $3,079.50 scholarship to
for the dependents of our Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City is available to any
employees. This year, we will Team Elmer’s employee dependent who will be enrolled in classes for
be awarding at least: Summer 2020 or Fall 2020. The certificate must be used for up to 15
contact hours by December 31, 2020. Certificate has no cash value,
Three (3) $500 Elmer’s cannot be extended, or transferred.
Education Scholarships
Team Elmer’s scholarships One (1) $1,000 Trades Scholarship
are available to employee The $1,000 Trades Scholarship is available to any Team Elmer’s
dependents 16 years or older employee dependent who will be enrolled in an accredited Career and
planning to attend college, or Technical Education Program, including skills utilized in the Trucking,
students already in college. A Heavy Construction and Road Building, Testing, Mining, Construction,
copy of college class schedule may be required before the final award Welding, HVAC, or Electrical, pursuing a career in the construction
payment. 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 To apply, please submit a 250 word or less essay answering the
for any dependent of an Elmer’s employee 16 years or older planning following;
to extend their education. The applicant must attend and complete a Explain a recent realization or something you have noticed in the last
Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Course. The applicant must month and why it sparked recognition.
provide a copy of the certificate of completion for the FPU course or the
instructor name and location. Elmer’s will pay for the $100 FPU class All applications must be received by March 31, 2020. Essays will be
kit regardless of essay submission. (**NOTE** Tom Shelder is teaching judged and recipients will be announced in the May 2020 Team Elmer’s
Financial Peace University in three Saturday classes, January 11, 18, newsletter. Recipients will also be notified directly via email about how
and 25, 2020 in Traverse City. Please email tshelder@teamelmers.com to claim their prize. These are non-renewable scholarships. You must
for more details or to sign up.) submit each year to be eligible for the award.
Enter online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L5HDMQ3

Good luck! We look forward to your entries!

Alpena Quarry

7

HUMAN RESOURCES

WELCOME NEW HIRES!

Scott Czarnecki RediMix Driver Manistee
Benjamin Wyatt Equipment Operator Pits Maple City
Martin Personette
Jeremy Petee Mobile Mechanic Ludington
Blaine Shotwell Service Technician TC

Project Manager Dirt Division Petoskey

Cindy Karker - left Daily Schedules Online
231-943-5544 | ckarker@teamelmers.com
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 | nlesperance@teamelmers.com Go to www.teamelmers.com/schedule
The next day’s schedule is visible the night before.
Kelsey Baker - right
231-943-5577 | kbaker@teamelmers.com

Employee Annual Evaluations
Managers are starting to work on employee annual evaluations. You will have a schedule meeting with your supervisor to discuss your
evaluation. Please contact your Division Manager if you have not heard anything by the end of December.

Wellness Assessment Schedule January 2020
Please mark your calendars. Detailed information will be in Team Elmer’s December newsletter and also mailed to your home.

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 Friday, January 24
8:00 am – 12:00 noon
Petoskey
Hampton Inn Saturday, January 25
920 Spring St Petoskey 8:00 am – 12:00 noon

Reed City
Reed City Depot
200 Chestnut St Reed City

8

**2020 Wellness Program**
Eligible employee and spouse must complete these 3 activities by March 15, 2020

Complete the online Health Questionnaire after November 18, 2019 and before your Health Assessment (required annually)
Complete a 2020 biometric screening or submit appropriate lab results from your doctor (lab results must be within 3 months of January
screening)
Watch “What’s Your Why” video and take survey (new this year)

Eligible employee and spouse must earn 5 out of the 6 points by March 15, 2020 to receive a reduced rate on the 2020
insurance premiums (all are worth 1 point unless otherwise noted)

• BMI 30.0 or less at the 2020 screening OR
• 10% weight loss from 2019 screening weight OR
• Waist circumference of 35 inches or less for women or 40 inches or less for men. (This is not pant waist size).
• Complete weight management coaching with OSW by March 15, 2020.

• Blood Pressure reading of 140/90 at the January 2020 screening or less OR
• Complete BP coaching with OSW by March 15, 2020.

• Tobacco/Nicotine Free Verification at the 2020 screening OR
• Complete Tobacco Cessation Coaching with OSW by March 15, 2020.

• LDL Cholesterol at 130 or below at the 2020 screening OR
• Complete cholesterol coaching with OSW by March 15, 2020.

• Provide proof of annual dental cleaning (January 2019-March 2020)
• *If you wear dentures please provide proof of checkup once every 5 years.

• Provide proof of preventative physical (March 16, 2018 – March 15, 2020)
• * A copy of your DOT Med card can be used.

NEW Alternative Criteria – Complete any of the items listed below within the current year (March 16, 2019 – March 15, 2020)

• Complete Financial Peace University (2 points)
• Complete Financial Wellness Program with Morgan Stanley (2 points)
• Attend “Weekend to Remember”
• Complete 2 OSW challenges online
• Complete 6 week men or women’s program by Tom Shelder

Family Life Presents: Weekend to Remember
Spots are filling up fast. Elmer’s sponsors couples who would like to attend the Weekend to Remember (WTR) Marriage Getaway in
Grand Rapids at the Amway Grand Hotel on Friday, February 21, 2020 through Sunday, February 23, 2020. Sponsorship includes
the seminar and hotel accommodations. Please contact Human Resources by December 15th to reserve your spot.

Reviews from WTR attendees:

• “Before this weekend we were on our last leg and , until writing the love letter, I was closed off because I thought he was 9
thinking this was dumb. But after the letter ,he said, “I’m here” and it was like I opened up and told myself that I will make a
change.”
• “Coming to this weekend I had a heart of stone. My husband and I were business partners living in the same house and poor
partners at best. This weekend has ignited my marriage and gave me a new heart and new hope for my marriage. I can say I still
do and mean it”

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Greetings! find ourselves dwelling on and complaining
about what we don’t have.
It is hard to believe that we are into If people were more thankful, there
November already. November means that would be fewer depressed people in our
the college basketball season is about to world. Being thankful would decrease the
begin. That will be a relief from what has amount of anxiety that many people have.
been a disappointing football season. Thankfulness would certainly reduce the
number of complainers in our world. I
“As iron We have a new men’s study that is meeting believe if more people were thankful for their
sharpens at the Traverse City location on Wednesdays spouse there would be fewer divorces.
iron, so at 6 am. This eight-week study is called “No How would being more thankful impact your
one person More Excuses”. We will be challenged to life? The Biblical book of First Thessalonians
sharpens allow God to use today’s challenges to help encourages us to give thanks in all
another.” prepare us for the future. circumstances. That is basically practicing
an attitude of gratitude; taking inventory of
Proverbs The next Financial Peace classes will be what God has given you and being grateful
27:17 held on January 11, 18, and 25. We will for it. Don’t put conditions on it, just be
meet from 9am-3pm at the Cambria Hotel on thankful for the people in your life. They may
Munson Avenue in Traverse City. This class not be perfect, but neither are you. Thank
will help you to both build and live out a solid God for the job you have. Be thankful for
financial plan. If you or any of your family your home. Take time to be thankful for your
members are interested in taking part in the health.
class, please contact me at 231-218-1042 There is so much to be thankful for. I truly
or tshelder@teamelmers.com. The class is believe that those people who possess an
free to Team Elmer’s employees and their attitude of gratitude are the happiest people
immediate family members. in the world. There a lot of things in life we
can’t control. We can choose to be thankful.
My favorite thing to do in November is to
celebrate Thanksgiving. I enjoy everyone I challenge you to take time to give thanks.
seated at the dinner table, taking time to
share what they are thankful for. Being Tom
thankful is something that people should
practice every day. We have so much to January 11, 18, and 25
be thankful for yet many of us seldom take
the time to express thankfulness. Instead 9am-3pm Cambria Hotel on
of being thankful for what we have we may Munson Avenue in TC

Contact Tom Shelder
231-218-1042 or

tshelder@teamelmers.com

10

PROJECT OF THE MONTH

8th Street

Eighth Street was a full reconstruction of
3 blocks in downtown Traverse City. In the
beginning stages of the project, Team Elmer’s
performed extensive road work including the
removal of the concrete roadway and sidewalk.
The crew dug up a 100 year-old wooden water
main and contaminated soils. A 24-inch water
main was installed to be up-to-date with state
regulations. The 24-inch water main provides
safer and cleaner water for service hook-ups. A
6-foot long water valve was installed by placing
it on its side for proper clearance. The valve
takes approximately 240 turns to open (the
typical valve box takes 30 and stands upright.)
Further along in the project, work included
replacement of sewer and storm piping and
new curb and gutter. To achieve a more
park-like aesthetic for the street, trees and
irrigation system were added. Wider sidewalks
with the inclusion of a designated safe bike
lane and sensor operated LED street lamps
were installed to encourage more pedestrian
friendly activity. The City chose asphalt paving
to replace the previous concrete road surface.
The East-West traffic lanes were scheduled to
be open in November but due to the efficiency
of the crews, they were able to open East-
West traffic one month early. Work continues
on Franklin Street. The traffic light has been
delayed another month due to manufacturing
schedules.

11

WHAT WE’RE UP TO ‘ROUND THE STATE

Christopher Huttenga
Roller

Duane Kott Beaverton Plant
Cherry Capital Airport

US-131
Kalkaska

Alpena Quarry

Scott Tigner M-20

Chris Herman

John Fox

EXCAVATION

LaFranier Water Tower Project

Traverse City Dirt Division calendar together for this year’s winter training. Specialty
November is here and the season training dates are still being determined but training for the
is quickly coming to a close. We Excavation Division will be March 25, 26, & 27. Put it on
are starting to get some hard frosts your calendar.
and snow is in the forecast more
and more but we still have a lot of We are proud to have the new face of White Claw working
things to wrap up so don’t pack on one of our pipe crews. Joe Whitefield, along with his
your bags to head for warmer brother, Jim, put together a photo shoot that, let’s just say,
weather just yet. We also have a caught the attention of White Claw’s marketing department.
list of jobs for the pits and in the yard that we have been too I’m working at becoming his agent because this guy is
busy to get to all summer; time to get some of those started going to be famous! Check it out on his Facebook page but,
as well. I will unfortunately need to start layoffs soon as WARNING, once viewed this cannot be unseen.
roadwork and some of the larger projects are wrapping up
the first week of the month. We finished the October CDL classes and have most of
the attendees signed up for taking the driving portion of
2020 is looking to be another year with lots of opportunities the test in the next week or so. If you did not have your
as the list of projects planned for next season continues to driving permit in advance, get ‘er done and we will help with
grow. We still have a fair amount of work to finish and on the Pre-Trip Inspections and driving practice. There are lots of
books already. resources out there and drivers willing to help. Stop in if you
have questions.
I am hoping to get reviews done earlier this year while
performance, improvement opportunities, and small We are in the home stretch. Let’s get things finished up
challenges are still fresh in everyone’s mind. It also gives with an emphasis on quality that we can be proud to put our
us more time to plan and adjust training based on the great name on. Thanks for all of your hard work in making 2019
feedback I get from them. Foremen, I will have reviews another successful season.
printed for the guys on your crew next week. Please stop in
and pick them up so we can get started. Thanks in advance Until next month, keep calm, and dig on.
for the time you put in to make your fellow employees better.
We are also starting to think about training and putting a Max

14

HILLMAN REPORT

St. Ignace

YES!! It’s finally here…November! Can I get giving us a chance to get Lafarge full and the
an enthusiastic Whoop-Whoop!? Snow, snow, rest of our customers caught up before freeze
snow and more snow! There, I said it. Get used up.
to it because it’s coming. How many shopping
days left until Christmas which is right around We finally received our 100% Occupancy permit
the corner?! Sorry to upset so many of you but for the new Petoskey facility. Minus a little bit
it’s true. It’s all making its merry way here and it of asphalt patching, landscaping, cleaning, and
makes me very happy. J organizing, we are done! Thanks to all who
contributed; it was quite a bit of hard work!
“Attitude is more We have a lot to do before the inevitable
important than the happens, however. In addition to completing the Our Petoskey office has hired a new Project
past, than education, projects we already have going, we have five Manager-Estimator. Please welcome Blaine
than money, than new projects to start and finish before November Shotwell, PE. Blaine is a Michigan Tech
circumstances, than 15, including the St. Ignace Boulevard Drive graduate with a Civil Engineering degree. He
what people do or say. Shoreline Stabilization project, Eleventh Street comes to us with 7-years experience working for
It is more important in Alpena, MOA Landfill Lift Station, Wolf McGuirk Sand & Gravel out of Mt. Pleasant and
than apperance, Creek Road Phase 2, and the Gattle Shoreline Hebert Construction from Iron River. He has lots
giftedness, or skill.” Restoration project in Petoskey. By the time this of MDOT experience along with being proficient
newsletter is out, we will have Gaylord Streets, with Bid2Win, Trimble Business Center, and
St. Ignace Sewer, M-33, Victories, Camp Trimble GPS machine setup and operation.
Petosega Phase 1, Alpena Hospital, Harbor Make sure to say hello to Blaine and welcome
Springs FEMA, Maxton Road and Atkins Road him aboard when you see him.
all 100% complete. Thank you, crews, for the
hard work, especially while being shorthanded We’re almost there guys and gals – season end.
for most of the season! Keep pushing, stay focused, and keep those
positive attitudes.
--Charles R Swindoll Trucking and the quarry are still cranking with
production, sales, and material trucking. It’s Until next month, work hard, be safe, and have
looking like November should be our catch-up fun!
month with project trucking slowing a bit and
Mike 15

CONCRETE

What’s In The Mix operator. We look forward to continuing to challenge you.

I saw the Christmas beef delivery Opportunity of the Month: I believe we all own this business.
schedule and winter training request Keep making it look the way you would want it with YOUR
email come through. It is really hard to name on the front door. Please communicate plant, truck,
believe that the year is winding down. loader, etc., maintenance concerns and ideas with your plant
Everyone told me time goes faster as manager. We are making lists for each plant and your input is
you get older and having kids speeds important. We are lucky to have talented staff that can help us
it up even more. They weren’t lying. with so many projects and, on slow days, we can knock out
items internally. Take the opportunities we have to keep making
Enjoy Every Day! all of our plants better.

Thank you, Jeff Dreffs, for working nights and weekends to Safety is the first thing with everything.
repair and update our plants. Jeff is dedicated to working when
concrete isn’t running, which is a very tough task. Thanks to all Jason
involved in this effort. We have a lot of work for the weld shop
this winter!

We also have a lot of work to complete for our customers.
Many of them have projects that can’t get done so they’re
asking about winter work and pushing into next year. This is a
great problem to have and makes next year look fairly stable.
We are lucky to continue working in a good economy. Because
of that, we’ve been able to continue to hire. I am thankful to all
the folks who joined concrete this year. We have a lot of good
new people. The individuals starting without experience take a
big risk to come drive an 80,000-lb non-articulating tank around
town but they are doing great! It takes time to become an

M-20
Midland

16

ASPHALT

Cherry Captial Airport

Happy November, Team!  As I mentioned last month, we bid some work for next
season and were very successful in grabbing some nice
My calendar says deer season jobs. We were able to land a 30,000-ton job on M-55 in
and lay off are right around Manistee County. This job is a large crush and shape that
the corner. That doesn’t seem will take place early summer next year. It’s a great job to
possible! build next year’s season around. There are several other
bid jobs starting to pop up on the horizon and I will do my
What a season we had. We best to keep you all posted on what we successfully won.
had a lot of weather to deal with
throughout the season, and Equipment reminder. With the season just about done,
we still managed to stay on schedule and get our jobs I’d like to hear from all of you regarding what needs to
completed. A minimal number of Saturdays were worked, be repaired on the equipment over the winter months. 
also. I really appreciate everyone pitching in and getting Please see Pete for lists that can be filled out prior to your
the workload done. It was a great team effort.  lay off and get them turned in ASAP. We appreciate the
help in getting this DONE.
Our list of total completed jobs is too large to mention
here but, reflecting back, the list of jobs that had a Thanks again for all the hard work! Enjoy Thanksgiving. I
significant impact on our community is incredible. We am thankful for YOU.
started on M-113 along with all of Grand Traverse
County work, milled and filled US-31 in front of the Until next month, stay safe.
shop, completed the City of Traverse City pavement
preservation package, moved down to US-131 mill and Brian
fill, after that picked off all surrounding counties from
Newaygo, Lake, Osceola, Manistee, Wexford, Benzie, 17
Leelanau, Kalkaska, Missaukee, and Antrim. We also built
several hundred driveways and parking lots and I’m only a
third of the way through the list. Now that is something to
be proud of.

WELLNESS

Set November 20

We have a NEW Wellness Portal!

Register your Account in the NEW Wellness Portal

1 Go to https://teamelmers.wellright.com or
watch for an email from noreply@onsitewellnessllc.com labeled: “Team
Elmers” Registration - Sponsored by OnSite Wellness, LLC.”
• Click the Activation button in that email to register your
account. Activation emails are valid for 30 days.
• After 30 days please contact Jackie:
jackie@onsitewellnessllc.com or 616.309.2778

2 Create your account
● Complete all required fields and check boxes.
● A valid email address is required and must be unique to each
participant (example: Husband and wife cannot share email address in portal)
- Email entered needs to match the email we have on file. Try a
personal, work or other email address you have used.
- Contact Support if you need help creating an email address.
● Create your own password
- If the text below the password field is RED, there is an error in
your password. Read the password requirements and try a new
password or confirm passwords are matching.
- Use the eye icon ( ) to view the typed password.
● Enter your name as it shows on your paystub.
● Click Register.
● If you have an issue registering contact support@onsitewellnessllc.com

3 Check Your Email

● Click the link sent to your email from
noreply@onsitewellnessllc.com to verify your email
address.

● If you do not see the email in your inbox remember to
check your spam/junk mail.

4 Get Started!
● Bookmark the URL; press “CTRL + D” to
save to your favorites.
● Complete the Health Questionnaire to kick
off your journey!

Need assistance? Call for help! 8:00am—5:00pm
Help Desk: 616.309.2773

18

MECHANICS

November is upon us and will be A couple of points to highlight this month:
bringing Daylight Savings Time,
Veteran’s Day, “mo”vember moustaches With the cooler temperatures, “re-gen” issues are starting to
and, of course, Thanksgiving! I’m resurface. Please make sure the engine is up to operating
hopeful it doesn’t bring us the white stuff temperature and the coolant is topped off. If the Volvo loaders
quite yet. are throwing an “emissions system failure”, try shutting off the
machine, killing the master switch for 2 to 3 minutes, then re-try
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I have a lot the process. Please remember, DO NOT IGNORE any re-gen
to give thanks for… a wonderful family, great friends, outstanding request, and DO NOT shut the machine off during re-gen.
co-workers, and a northern Michigan community that cares about
each other. I truly feel blessed this time of year and hope you take Winter tire swap-out on trucks/ cars is fast approaching. Please
the time to reflect on the blessings in your life. contact Andy Dahl or Shawn Nelson to schedule your vehicle.

With winter on the horizon, our shops are ready for the winter Please make sure to keep boxed Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in a
overhauls, repairs, and an abundance of DOT/ OSHA inspections! location that is above 32 degrees (freezing).
Again, please start assessing your equipment and prioritizing
the work that we’ll need to complete during the winter months. Welcome aboard, Mark Dewitt ! (TC – Service Tech 2nd Shift) – 11
It’s already been a busy year with nearly 12,000 work orders November start.
processed on our equipment since January 1st and we don’t expect
it to slow down. Great work done by great people! It feels great to be a part of this awesome Team. Continue to keep
Team Elmer’s “rolling” in a safe, efficient, and righteous manner.
Just a reminder to all the equipment operators, please keep a
running list for all the issues and repairs needed and fill out an Until next month,
official inspection sheet before the season ends to help us identify
issues that need to be addressed in the off-season. Ma rk

Great job communicating your service and/or repair needs
with Eric Smith and Dominic Schoech recently. The timely and
consistent feedback goes a long way in meeting the needs of your
equipment. If we know about it, I guarantee maximum effort will
be given to fixing it as quickly as possible. Some days, however, it
seems we don’t have enough mechanics to go around!

Operators have been doing a nice job performing the daily
inspections prior to operating their equipment and letting us know
of any issues. Keep it up! Communication is the key.

19

TRUCKING

Get a Lead of This Lay-offs will be coming so start a list for the Mechanic
Shops on things that need to be looked at this winter.
The wheels continue to go around Look at: Traps, Trap Motors & Cables, Air Lift Axle issues
and around even in the rain. (function up & down, brakes not deactivating when rising),
Rain described half of October Live Bottom Belts & Chains, Liners, Tailgate Locks & Seals,
it seemed. The good side of that Windshield Wipers & Motors, Window functions, Doors &
was a few things slowed down Seals, Steering, Fifth Wheel, Vibrations & Alinements.
enough to let us get a really
good jump on stocking winter Winter is the time to get the little non-ticket problems taken
inventories into the yards. care of for next year. Make sure to clean your personal
belongings out of your truck for the lay-off period; Elmer’s
Hillman helped out with Alpena Quarry rip-rap that is will not be responsible if something comes up missing while
still going like hotcakes out of Traverse City with all the you are off. Clean the inside of your truck, windows, dash,
shoreline erosion repair work from the rains. They also ceiling, mats, floor, seats, & remove all trash. Take the time
helped us finish Charlevoix County gravel projects; 20,000- and get it done ahead of getting laid-off, it is a lot easier if
tons this year. you do not wait until the last day to do it. Make sure you fill
the fuel tank & DEF tank so condensation is limited while
Omer was able to get started on 2NS to Ludington and equipment is parked until we return in the Spring. You are
Manistee on their way to get 6A for Beaverton and Tri- to keep your phone and you are required to return your
City. I predict we’ll have to haul at least 9,000-tons to the tablet to IT. Bring your phone to the training day in March.
southeast plants from M-72 for winter stockpiles. There is Training days for Trucking are March 23, or 24. You are
a 6A shortage from our normal suppliers and they will be required to attend one of those training sessions.
stopping production soon.
Jim
Petoskey trucks have been working to finish up Hay Lake,
Harbor Springs, Victories, Charlevoix County, Daniel’s yard,
and the Alanson concrete plant.

Traverse City trucks have gotten the majority of stockpiles
in the Traverse yard and have started working on M-72
stone for the west and east side concrete plants. There are
many signs of an early winter and we should be in good
shape as far as inventories go when it hits.

Season change means drivers need to make sure they are
draining their air tanks on the trucks and trailers. If water
is running out, you’ll need to drain the air tanks a couple of
times a day until just a mist comes out. Moisture in the air
systems can cause several different problems in the trucks
and trailers, freeze ups in the dryer, brakes, suspensions,
tail gates, lift axles, and dolly lock. On cold mornings, make
sure to check for any coolant leaks, hoses and clamps, and
radiator tank gaskets. If you see a spot on the ground, look
to see if you can find where it is coming from and let the
mechanics know about it to get it taken care of.
Also, make sure you are checking any Oil leaks, especially
Wheel Seals, Axle Gaskets, & Hydraulic.

20

CRANES & RIGGING

Elmwood Township Marina

Happy hunting and happy had the assistance of our friend, Tim Leeck, at the quarry
Thanksgiving!  May we all reflect with the use of the SkyTrak to assemble and disassemble
and find something to be thankful the jib. This job required all of the jib sections on our 110-
for. ton crane as the tower is 288’ tall.

This past month has been the Northern Tower has been using the boom truck to set new
month for boats, coolers, and equipment on an 80’ communication tower located on
towers, oh my!  Cherry Bend Road in Traverse City. This job took four days.

As in years past, we have been Tom Kler set trusses for Sunrise Construction at a new
busy removing sail boats from the waters in northern building on Lafranier Road in Traverse City. This was a
Michigan. We have been at Elmwood Marina, Northwest multiple day job due to the weather not cooperating; it is
Marine Yacht Club and Ahgosatown Landing Marina. hard to safely set trusses in the rain. The customer called
when the job was finished and complimented Tom on the
Natural Gas Compression has been keeping us busy job he did.  Tom is a very professional crane operator and
loading and unloading coolers and installing exhausts on Elmer’s was very accommodating when the weather went
them. When loading out their large coolers, we take our south. Thank you, Tom, for a job well done.
80,000-lb forklift with all of its counterweights and long
stinger boom to assist their overhead crane in the shop. Conduct is the best proof of character.

We have had multiple projects for Augusta Tower, swapping Kent
communication equipment on top of cell towers. The first
one was a multiple day job at the top of Boyne Mountain. 
The view up there during the fall months is spectacular.
The second location is in Alpena right around the corner
from our quarry. This was a multiple day job as well. We

21

PICKLE HIGHLIGHTS

1 SERVICE GIVE ‘EM
THE PICKLE
Make serving others
your #1 priority.

You’re in a noble profession.
Be proud of what you do and

where you work.

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

23

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

PERMIT #568

MID-WINTER BREAK
Who Why be reserved by December 31, 2019 by
calling (866) 962-9653 and using the
Team Elmer’s employees and their Because we love you! Who knows special reservation code #2002ELMER
immediate families. Pre-registration is how much snow we will get this year! or online. A $40.00 cancellation fee per
required. Sign up online at: Need we say more? room applies 73 hours or more prior
http://www.teamelmers.com/great- to arrival date to cancel the individual
wolf-lodge by December 31, 2019 Accommodations room. If the individual cancels the room
for waterpark/food passes. Space is within 72 hours of the arrival date,
limited. Sign up NOW! You may choose to stay overnight 100% of the first night’s room rate plus
at the Great Wolf Lodge on Friday, tax will be charged to the individual’s
What January 31 and/or Saturday, February credit card or taken from the deposit.
1. Availability is limited and filled on a All room rentals are the responsibility
Mid-Winter Break at Great Wolf Lodge! first reserved first served basis. Special of the employee.
Free waterpark passes with locker room rates are: *Note* Operator may read standard
room access and we are giving $15 $119 per night* Family Suite Great Wolf Lodge cancellation policy
GWL gift cards for food/beverage. $169 per night* Kids Kamp which is different (7 days prior) than
Lockers available for rent from Great $149 per night* Wolf Den our contract during reservations.
Wolf Lodge. *All Room Rates must add state taxes,
local CVB taxes, and $14.99 lodge fee
Where (Lodge fee adjusted down from $29.99
to $14.99 at check-in.)
Great Wolf Lodge Room rates are eligible up to 4
3575 U.S. Highway 31 Traverse City, occupants.
Additional 5th and/or 6th Room
MI Occupant(s) are $50.00 per person.
Limit six occupants per room.
When
All room rentals are the responsibility
Saturday, February 1, 2020 of the employee. This special rate must
Swim between 10 am - 8 pm
$15 GWL Gift Card for food/beverage
for those that attend.