Friday Musings 9-6-13 State fair memories

Minnesota's Mardi Gras - the Minnesota State Fair

Those of us who work on St. Paul Campus take a little sigh of relief when the state fair is over.  Yet, it is a must-do for both my family and within our work team.  On the first day of the fair, many of us from FD 4th floor Coffey Hall head over to the fairgrounds (U of M ID in hand to get in free for lunch only) to have "lunch on a stick." We break all food safety rules about sharing food and try to jointly taste some of the new specialties of the year. Below is our group this year. As you can well guess keeping the group together is a bit like herding butterflies - but well worth the effort. Building community at work is important. Your colleagues are with you through both work and personal triumphs and tragedies. This is an important group to grow and nurture. What does your work location do to get to know each other better? have fun beyond the work tasks?  I encourage you to be the instigator of that monthly/quarterly potluck, noontime bowling, or even noontime bunco (all things we do on 4th floor Coffey Hall). Work hard AND have  play hard- have FUN!!

 

Fresh Faces of Youth making Consumer Decisions

Thank you to the leadership of Sarah Croymans and Carrie Olson (FD / 4-H dynamo team) for their leadership of the State Fair Consumer Decision-Making Learning Event and Contest. Here are a couple photos to see these youthful faces with many consumer decisions to make ahead.

 

Contest Submissions Requested by this Tuesday for Presentation on our Monthly call on Wednesday -  UMConnect Education Contest

If you participated, I am not sure I know all the participants, please send me the following: What did you do? Who attended? Why did you do what you did? What did you learn?  A $50 gift

certificate (PL's personal funds) will be awarded the winner. Winner will be determined after sharing of your experience on our September FR FRM call.

Speaking of On-line Learning.... and State Fair Mardi Gras

 This Unhappy Truth About Sugar video - may help you be both more informed and perhaps start your own "Labor Day New Year's Resolutions." My husband was in a nursing home in rural Minnesota this summer visiting relatives and could not believe the number of elders who needed foot protection while in bed to protect their feet impacted by diabetes. While this video comes from a special interest group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, it certainly can start a conversation.

Have a nice weekend.
Trish