Welcome To The 2002 Work Season

In the spring of the year we take time to look ahead to what the season has in store for us. This season’s outlook is very exciting! I would like to talk about what steps the company has taken to prepare us for the up-coming season. 

The shop has been working hard at getting through winter repairs, to ensure that the equipment will run efficiently and minimize downtime in the field. 

Our estimating department has been extremely busy bidding on jobs for the upcoming season. On average, of every fifteen jobs an estimator bids, he will be awarded only one job. As you can see, it can be a very stressful situation to be in. I would like to congratulate them for all of the jobs that we have been awarded so far this year. Keep up the great work!

Frattalone Companies, INC. has created a training program for all of our employees. You may ask yourself why training has become such an important issue at our company. We believe the more training an employee has, the more productive he/she can be on the job, which is better for the company as a whole. We feel that we have become a leader in the industry, in training our employees. Our customers often inquire about our training and now we can show them our up-to-date records, of all the training classes our employees have completed.

All of the field superintendents have completed a 30-hour O.S.H.A. class, and all of the lead men have completed a 10-hour O.S.H.A. class. This is to make sure that they fully understand all of the safety regulations and can assist with questions or concerns in the field. Employee safety is very important to our company and your families. 

I am looking forward to the 2002 season and feel it will be very productive and profitable with the outstanding work force we have at TEAM FMF.

Sincerely,

Tony Frattalone
President

Movin' Thru 32

Since our beginnings in 1970, Frattalone Excavating has made major changes in our operations. We have changed our scope of work from small residential projects to large commercial excavating and grading jobs. Utility and demolition divisions were eventually created as we saw the demand for those services increase. And most recently, we have added a custom crushing division, enabling us to self perform that line of work as well as marketing another capability to our customers.

As you can see, many things have changed over the past thirty-two years within Frattalone Excavating. It is now much easier to look back and see how we have benefited from each one of those changes than it was when they were first undertaken. Sure, we had our questions and concerns, and were comfortable with what we had to offer, but what kind of company would we have here today? Would we still be a ten to twenty person company digging residential basements? 

Change is an essential part of business (and life) and this year is no exception. We have made some major changes for this upcoming season and feel it will greatly benefit the company and the employees. From the way we price our equipment, to the mandatory employee training, we, as a team, have already increased our value in the industry. This is the motto for the year….Movin Thru 32….Thirty-two years down, with bigger and better things to come in this thirty-third season. 

Have a great season!

Nick Frattalone
Executive Vice President 

Hello From the Training Department!

As we complete a very successful training season, I would like to thank everyone for their cooperation with the classes they have attended this year. We have, as a company, completed more training this season than ever before. The personal benefit to each employee and to the company is immeasurable. As I mentioned in the last scoop, I look forward to talking with you about your experiences with your training classes taken this season. I have already received some very helpful feed back (positive and negative) which will be used to evaluate training for next season. Please call or write me a note on your experiences with scheduling of the training, pay issues and setting up Union trainings. I will work to have policies in place on these and more issues before training starts next fall. If you have not turned in all of your training certificates, please do so as soon as possible. I will be spending more time in the field now, so if you need a question answered or need help with a task, please contact me. Once again, I want to thank everyone. You all did a fantastic job with training this year. 

Be safe and I'll see you in the field!

Steven Kohler 
Personnel Trainer

The Safety Corner

Is spring really here? With the weather conditions we have been having it still feels like "Old Man Winter" is still in control. One way of being sure that spring is here is to take a look at our Job Schedule. We are in the first week of May and we are already pushing 40 jobs per day. One of the things we have to remember is that when the number of jobs and employees increase, our exposure to accidents and injuries increases as well. We are all excited to get back to work, but we want to be smarter and safer workers then we were in the past. Our bodies may be out of shape from a lack of activity during the winter months, so don't forget the importance of stretching every morning. This greatly reduces the chances of getting injured. Think ahead about your tasks for the day. Be an active employee when you and the Supervisors are discussing the "Pretask Planning Worksheets" in the morning before the work even starts. This will also help in reducing accidents throughout the day. Together as a T.E.A.M. we can and will reduce accidents and injuries for the year '2002". The definition of T.E.A.M. is

T ogether
E verbody
A chieves
M ore

Lets achieve more by having less accidents and injuries this year!!!!!!!!!

Stay Healthy and Safe

Steve Buche
Field and Safety Coordinator

The Control Tower

The 2002 construction season is here. This season we will be trying a different system for completing the Saturday schedule. This new system will consist of a three-step process. 

1. First, the superintendent will ask the employees on his/her job if they can work.

2. Second, dispatch will hang a sign up sheet in back outside the lunch room for employees that want to sign up for Saturday work.
   

   1. If we do not have enough employees to complete the Saturday schedule from the first two steps we will go to the available employees list.  

   2. The available employee list is broken down into four different groups. They are: Group One (G-1); Group Two (G-2); Group Three (G-3); and Group Four (G-4). On the backside of the group list is a 2002 calendar. 

   3. Your group will be posted above the Saturday that you will be available for work. 

3. If you are not contacted by dispatch by 7:00pm that Friday night, you will not have to work. Please be sure you check your answering machines. 

This Saturday List idea came from the Frattalone employees.

F.Y.I. 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 dispatch@frattalonecompanies.com 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. These new approaches of doing the schedule will make this season a more efficient one!

Scott Pierre
Dispatcher

Company Meetings

Following are the dates for the all company safety and informational meetings for 2002.  These meetings are a very important part of keeping you informed of company policies and procedures.  Attendance is mandatory.

• Thursday, 8/8/02 @ 4:00 p.m.

• Thursday, 10/24/02 @ 4:00 p.m.

Holiday Schedule

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

• Memorial Day –
  Monday, 5/27/02

• Fourth of July
  Thursday, 7/4/02

• Labor Day
  Monday, 9/2/02

• Thanksgiving
  Thursday, 11/28/02 &
  Friday, 11/29/02

• Christmas
  Tuesday, 12/24/02 &
  Wednesday, 12/25/02

Frattalone Company Picnic

The company picnic will be on June 29^th, 2002 at Spooner Park in Little Canada.  Invitations will be mailed the first week in June.  The famous 100’ slip-n-slide will be present along with other games and great food! 

Marriages

Andy Sprado and Heidi Frogner were married on April 20th, 2002.

Sue Kees and Clete Busse were married on December 31st, 2001.

Births

Gracie Georgia, daughter of Rodney Peterson and Leslie was born on Monday, May 6^th and weighed 8lbs. 2-½ oz.

Retired Employees

Tom Steichen and Fred Dubbles hung up their hard hats for the last time this past season.  Tom worked for Frattalone Excavating as an operator for 16 years.  Fred  worked for Frattalone Excavating as an operator for 4 years.  We will be having a party in honor of their retirement on Thursday, May 16^th at 6:00 p.m. in the back shop. 

Congratulations Tom & Fred!

New Employees

Welcome Aboard!

Bible Study Group

Bible study/work support group sessions are being postponed until the fall. Look for more information in the next scoop.

From the Hook ...

The 2001-2002 Frattalone Fishing Tournament has ended and here are the tournament results. The winners will be awarded at the company picnic on Saturday, August 17th 

This years tournament is well on it’s way. Just a reminder that the tournament is open to employees and their immediate families.   

Prizes: (in each division)

1^st Place  -            $75.00
2^nd Place -            $25.00
3^rd Place -            t-shirt or hat
Also, every tenth entry receives a t-shirt from the Frattalone Store.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shelly Boss or Dean Law.

Here are the tournament results as of 1/25/02…

Upcoming Events For the "Anglers"

On Saturday, June 15th, 2002 there will be a Walleye Fishing Tournament at the Lake Mille Lac’s Red Door Resort (Frank Belisle’s Cabin) from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m (time pending). A BBQ will follow. 

The cost is $25.00 per boat (two people per boat). Each boat will need a scale. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams for highest total weight of fish in each boat. 

Please call the Red Door @ 1.218.678.3686 for prices and availability of cabins and motels if you are interested in staying Friday or Saturday night(s). If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Zeiglemeyer @ 651.488.4958 or Frank Belisle @ 763.422.3810.

The Power Of Forgiveness

Why forgive someone who has done you wrong? It is so easy to hold a grudge against someone. After all, that person did or said something to you that was hurtful or that you strongly disagreed with. But, hanging on to anger brings consequences physically and emotionally. We extend enormous energy on our anger. 

Think of someone who you are angry with. 

• Can you feel the power the person or event has over you? 

• Do you feel yourself reliving the event every time you think of him or her? 

• How are your family members and co-workers affected by your anger?

If we are angry with or feel hate towards someone, we, along with the people that are close to us suffer from that anger and/or hate. When we harbor negative emotions toward others or toward ourselves we corrupt our own physical and emotional systems. 

Instead of wasting energy on the damaging effects of hate and anger, direct that energy into forgiveness. It enables you to let go of the past and create room for what we want more of, now and in the future.

Forgiveness is a process, though. There is no time frame. Each 
person will work through the process at his/her own pace. There is no magical saying or act that will produce instant results.

Evidence suggests that letting bygones be bygones can lead to decreased anger, depression, anxiety and stress. It allows us to live in the present and leave the past behind. Most importantly, though, forgiveness strengthens our healthy self-esteem and will undoubtedly bring your life much peace.

National Forgiveness week is June 16-22. Why not find it in your heart to forgive one small offense? It just might help your heart – in more ways than one!

Fratta-cafe'

Be it Mother’s Day or Memorial Day, this tasty meal is bound to be a hit! Serve with some crusty bread and a bottle of white wine.
ENJOY!

Spinach & Strawberries Salad
Salad:

2 - bags of spinach (washed and broken into large pieces
1 - large red onion (chopped)
2 – pints strawberries (sliced)

Dressing:

1 C. - Miracle Whip
2/3 C. - Sugar
¼ C. – Vinegar
1 ½ TBSP. Poppy seeds
1 tsp. Seasoning salt
½ C. milk

• Mix dressing and add to salad
  Just before serving.
  

Seafood Kebabs

1½ lb. Firm white fish fillets
18 large uncooked shrimp
18 Scallops
1 of each: red, green and yellow sweet bell peppers

Marinade:

¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon white pepper

• Remove skin from the fillets if necessary. Cut into 1 ¼ inch square pieces. Shell and devein shrimp. Cut the red, green and yellow peppers into pieces the same size as the fish. Place prepared ingredients in a bowl.

• Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl & pour over the fish and turn to coat. Allow to marinate for 15 min. 

• Thread the ingredients alternately onto soaked bamboo or metal skewers.

• Cook kebabs on a preheated oiled grill until fish turns white and shrimp are pink. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.
  

Lemon Coconut Cake
Cake:

1 cup butter
1 ¾ cups superfine sugar
7 eggs, lightly beaten
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
4 C. unsweetened grated dry coconut

Syrup:

2 cups superfine sugar
½ cup lemon juice
½ cup water
2 tsp. Finely grated lemon rind
1 finely sliced lemon for garnish

• Preheat oven to 325. Brush a 10 in. springform pan with butter or oil and line base with baking paper. 

• Beat butter & sugar in bowl until fluffy. Add eggs gradually. Fold in flour, baking powder and coconut. Pour into pan and bake for 1 ½ hrs. 

• Boil ingredients for syrup until thickened. Remove cake from oven and pour ½ hot syrup over cake. Cool remaining syrup. Add sliced lemons. Decorate the cake with glazed lemon slices and dust with powdered sugar.

Name That Frattalone

That’s right, these cute kids are some of your co-workers at Frattalone Excavating. Any employee is eligible to play, “Name that Frattalone Employee”. Just submit your guess by May 20th to Shelly Boss in the office.  The winner will receive a nylon Frattalone pullover jacket. In the event of a tie, a name will be drawn. Good Luck!