Fall 2002 / Vol.9, Issue 4

Front & Center

With the 2002 year coming to an end, I would like to thank all of our employees for their hard work and dedication this past year. Due to certain circumstances such as the economy and weather, our company was unable to produce our services as efficiently as possible, and a majority of employees were not able to obtain the work hours they would have liked to. 

In being more of a "glass half full" person, I try to be as optimistic as possible with each circumstance I face. Seasons such as the one we just experienced usually have negative short-term effects with great possibilities of long-term success. I have great belief that the recent hardship felt in the construction industry will eventually eliminate some of our competitors. This will not only give us an advantage during the bidding process, but also allow us to acquire more key employees, increasing our efficiency in the field.  With that I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve Buche for his twenty-five plus years of service to Frattalone Companies, Inc. As many of you are aware, Steve has decided to resign from his position on December 1st in order to pursue other goals in his life. During his employment here, Steve has done everything from cleaning trucks, operating equipment, driving truck, dispatcher, marketer and his current position as our field and safety director. Whatever position Steve was asked to do, he accepted and did it well. Thanks Steve, and best of luck in your future endeavors. 

I hope each and every one of you have a safe and happy holiday season.

Nick Frattalone, Executive Vice President 

Safety-Training Column

Hello from the Training Department.

This will be the last article I will be writing as the Personnel Trainer. As most everyone knows by now, Steve Buche is leaving the company. He is moving on to pursue other goals. Frattalone Excavating is combining Steve Buche's position and my training position into one. Upon Steve Buche's departure, I will be the new Safety and Training Director. During this transition time, we ask everyone to assist us in making this change smooth and efficient. 

With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve for the diverse things he has done for this company. His job title of Field and Safety coordinator did not even begin to cover all of his duties. Most people were unaware of the numerous "behind the scene jobs" that were 'just taken care of' by Steve. His sense of humor, employee counseling, flexibility, and proficiency to get the job done have made him respected by everyone whom has had the opportunity to work with him. I will greatly miss this asset to Team Frattalone. His genuine love for the company and continued efforts in safely sending everyone home each evening has, and always will be, admired.

Once again, thank you Steve Buche! You will be missed. Be safe and I'll see you all in the field. 

Steven Kohler, Safety and Training Director

Dispatch Tower

Just a reminder that if you have access to a computer, you can now access the daily Frattalone schedule through the Internet by email. All I need from you is your email address. If you send an email to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , I can add it into my contact list. This will help you and dispatch because you will be able to access the schedule, directions and phone numbers. I hope you are able to utilize this method. It really works great. 

Also, please make sure to turn your tickets in on time, double-checking your entries always. We have been experiencing problems with wrong dates, times, etc. That extra effort will really make a difference in the office. Thank you!

Scott Pierre, Dispatcher

A Thanksgiving Thought

This Thanksgiving, instead of just worrying about what's for dinner and how many pies there will be, try this idea to make the celebration more meaningful.
  • * Using assorted colored construction paper, cut out feathers about 3"x7" (enough so that each guest receives one), and one turkey head, face and neck.
  • When the guests arrive give each of them a feather and ask them to write something that they are thankful for on it.
  • Before dinner is served have your family and guests take turns reading what they have written on their feathers. Tape the feathers to the wall in a rainbow shape.
  • When all of the feathers are up, put the turkey head in the middle. After all, it is THANKSgiving!

Announcements

Just because...Kevin and Susan Stenberg are proud to announce that  their son Russell Ryan Stenberg has received his Bachelors Degree in Computer Animation/Multimedia from the Art Institute International of Minnesota on Sept. 19, 2002. Congratulations!


Births: Sutheree Nestvold daughter of Dallas and Heidi Nestvold was born on October 31, 2002. She weighed 7lbs, 1oz. and was 20" long.

Congratulations!

 

Holiday Schedule

Listed below are the days that Frattalone Excavating will be closed:

  • Thanksgiving Day, 11/28/02

  • Christmas Eve Day, 12/24/02

  • Christmas Day, 12/25/02

  • New Years Eve Day, 12/31/02

  • New Years Day, 1/1/03

Christmas Party

The Christmas Party will be on Saturday, December 7th at the St. John's Banquet Hall in Little Canada. Cocktails are at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m., and entertainment thereafter. Invitations will be sent out soon.

Bible Study Group

The Bible study has started up already for the year. The meetings are held every other Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the office lunchroom. The next meeting is Thursday, November 21st. For more information, contact Dean Law.

Frattalone Golf Tourney

The 6th Annual Frattalone Golf Tournament was held on Sunday, September 15th at Gem Lake Golf Course. Ryan Smith and Rick Parent won the 2-person scramble tournament. Congratulations!

 

New Employees

Laborers:
  • Chris Lawson
  • Larry Mars
  • Chris Mullen
  • Brent Romanowski

Office:

  • Tom Everson

Truck Drivers:

  • Terrell Nelson
 Operators:
  • Casey Crisp
  • Luke Smith
  • Richard Williams


Shop:

  • Joe Chambers
  • Greg Geers


Welcome Aboard!


Going Away Party

We are having a "going away party" for Steve Buche on Thursday, November 21st. It will be held in the back shop at the end of the workday. Hope you can join us in sending our best regards to Steve as he seeks new endeavors.

 

NADC and MUCA Scholarships

Frattalone Excavating is a member of the National Association of Demolition Contractors, as well as the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association, which entitles any employee and their family members eligible to participate in their scholarship program. These scholarships are awarded annually. For an application, please see Shelly in the office.

 

From the Hook ...

Our 2002-2003 fishing contest is well on its way, but we haven't had many entries, as you can see from the standings. Get fishing and submit those entries!  

Rules:

The same rules apply as in years past. There are 5 divisions: walleye, northern, bass, crappie and sunfish. Employees and immediate family members are automatically eligible. Entries must be verified at a bait store and include the name and phone number of the person who weighed the fish. The fishing tournament starts every year on April 1st and goes thru March 31st. Turn in all entries to Shelly Boss in the office.

Prizes: (in each division)

1st Place  - $75.00
2nd Place -  $25.00
3rd Place -  t-shirt or hat


Also, every tenth entry receives a t-shirt from the Frattalone Store. There will also be one drawing for entries that did not place. Prizes will be awarded at the company meeting in April.

Results as of 11/12/02…

Walleye 1st
2nd		 Kory Kunza
Kory Kunza		 30"
29"
Northern 1st Taylor Frattalone 28"
Bass 1st
2nd		 Dean Law
Dean Law		 5lb.
4lb.
Sunfish

--

 No Entries Yet --
Crappie 1st
2nd		 Justin Boss
Justin Boss		 1lb. 10oz.
0lb. 12oz.

Upcoming Tournaments:

Ice fishing. We are thinking of having an ice fishing tournament sometime in January on Lake Milacs. Look for flyers with more details in December.

Other tournaments. There will be two spring/summer tournaments in 2003. Details to be announced in March.

For the "Health" of it ...

Anyone can be a winner!

That's right, anyone can be a winner. Just think about the following statement: "It is your attitude, more than your aptitude that will determine your altitude." 

Attitude is, in fact, a better predictor of success than IQ, grade point average, or almost any other factor you can think of. Do you consider yourself to have a positive attitude or a negative one? Well, I hope you answered that question with positive, because studies have shown that negative people get sick more often, are divorced more frequently, and raise kids who get in trouble more. Those same studies have also found that people with a negative attitude make less money!

Over the years, researchers have found that when people are given the question, "Which words would you use to describe a winner?", the 10 most common used words are: positive attitude, enthusiasm, determination, motivated, confident, optimistic, dedicated, happy, good listener and patient.

This list is useful for what it says and what it doesn't say. None of these qualities have anything to do with physical or mental abilities. They all tie into attitude in one way or another, and, that is significant! Apparently anyone can be a winner, because winning is based on your self-chosen attitude, not your God-given aptitude.

So, how do you know if you are a winner? Well, perhaps this list will help determine that:

The Difference
The winner is always part of the answer.
The loser is always part of the problem.

The winner always has a program.
The loser always has an excuse.

The winner says, "Let me help you."
The loser says, "That's not my job."

The winner sees an answer for every problem.
The loser sees a problem for every answer.

The winner sees a green near every sand trap.
The loser sees a sand trap near every green.

The winner says, "It may be difficult, but it is possible."
The loser says, "it may be possible, but it is too difficult."

With this list in mind, just for today, make up your mind to be happy and to have a positive attitude - no matter what. Just do it! And then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and...

"(c) Dr. Allen R. Zimmerman, CSP, 2002. Reprinted with permission form 'Dr.Zimmerman's Tuesday Tip,' a weekly internet newsletter. For your own personal subscription, www.DrZimmerman.com"

Recipes from the Heart

Peppercorn Pan-Broiled Duck
Submitted by Tony Frattalone

4 Duck Breasts
4 tsp. Green Peppercorns
2 tsp. Black Peppercorns
(or buy blended whole peppercorns)
1 tsp. coarse, kosher salt
2 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 tsp. Minced garlic
1/2 c. Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 c. Brandy
3/4 c. beef stock (I added some Worcestershire sauce)
1 tsp. Fresh parsley (chopped)
  • Breast out duck, trimming any bones, fat, or sinews.
  • Place breast on a cutting board. In between 2 plastic bags, flatten meat to 1/2" cutlets with a broad meat mallet. Remove from bags and set aside.
  • Place green and black peppercorns in plastic bag and gently crack with the mallet. Combine peppercorns and salt and press into cutlets on both sides.
  • In a heavy skillet, heat olive oil and garlic until almost smoke hot.
  • Add cutlets and brown for about 1-1/2 minutes on each side. Do not cook past medium to medium rare! After browning check for doneness. For thicker cutlets, you may need to reduce heat, cover and cook a few more minutes. Remove to a covered dish to keep hot until ready to serve.
  • Splash skillet with vinegar and brandy. Bring to a vigorous boil.
  • Add beef stock. Cook 4 minutes and serve as a sauce over cooked duck breasts.
  • Top with chopped parsley.
Serves well with asparagus and new potatoes or rice. Serve with red wine until guests no longer feel their legs.