It’s That Time Again… Open Enrollment Period for 2017 Benefits

It is that time of the year again – open enrollment for your employee benefits through Champion!

Our open enrollment period runs from 12/1/2016 – 12/31/2016. Remember all changes will be effective 1/1/2017 and run through the 12/31/2017. This is your one and only opportunity annually to make changes to your plan without a qualifying event. Be on the lookout for a detailed email introducing our plan options, new 2017 forms, and other pertinent information.

OPEN ENROLLMENT IS DECEMBER 1, 2016 – DECEMBER 31, 2016

This Month in History (Nov 2016)

NOVEMBER

Thanksgiving 1621: Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in the United States of America, as well as Canada. In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, however Canada actually celebrates Thanksgiving in October. History suggests that the holiday originates from a celebration in November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful.1

November 18, 1883: At precisely noon on this day, American and Canadian railroads began using four continental time zones to end confusion from dealing with thousands of local times. Efficient rail transportation required a more uniform time-keeping system. Rather than turning to the federal governments of the United States and Canada to create a North American system of time zones, the railroad companies took it upon themselves to create a new time code system.2

November 11,1919: Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The term comes from an armistice (agreed upon suspension of hostilities for a period of time) between Germany and the Allied Nations on November 11, 1918. World War I actually ended on June 28, 1919, during the Treaty of Versailles. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday to honor military veterans beginning in 1938.3

November 26, 1924: The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City. The 2016 parade will be the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade is a staple in the American household on Thanksgiving Day and boasts approximately 8,000 participants. Most people are familiar with the marching bands, cheerleaders, dancers, and celebrity performers, but one large group often overlooked are the 800 clown participants dispersed throughout the parade.4

November 22, 1995: Toy Story, the first feature-film to be made entirely with computer-generated imagery, opened in U.S. theaters.5 As one of the founders of Pixar, Steve Jobs served as an executive producer of the film. In the film’s first test, the movie’s beloved main characters were slightly different, as Buzz Lightyear was named Tempus From Morph and Woody was a ventriloquist’s puppet.6

References
1 http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving
2 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/railroads-create-the-first-time-zones
3 http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
4 http://pressroom.macysinc.com/press.aspx?cid=3&scid=15&mkid=522&pid=13610
5 http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/edn-moments/4424761/1st-computer-animated-feature-film-released–November-22–1995
6 http://www.ibtimes.com/toy-story-movie-trivia-14-fun-facts-celebrate-disney-pixar-films-20th-anniversary-2219812

CURRENT EVENTS (Nov 2016)

Nov 7

ROCKWELL AUTOMATION – PROCESS SOLUTIONS USER GROUP (PSUG) AUTOMATION FAIR
Nov. 7-8 – event will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in  Atlanta, GA. Network, attend educational sessions and see the latest technology on display. Learn more…

Nov 14

DELTEK INSIGHT
CONFERENCE 2016
Nov. 14-17 – event will be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington D.C. Bringing together users, partners and industry experts for the ultimate 3 day experience. Champion will be both attending and presenting during this event. Learn more…

Nov 24

THANKSGIVING IN NORTH AMERICA: FROM LOCAL HARVESTS TO NATIONAL HOLIDAY
Each year on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather for a day of celebration, feasting, football and family. Learn more…

Dec 9

SAVE THE DATE:
FRIDAY NIGHT SOCIAL & ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY
Dec. 9-11 – event will be held at the
Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston, TX. See Christmas Party Announcement on the Welcome Page in SharePoint for more information, on-line links, and updates.

 

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS & FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

Learn more at alz.org

Easy-to-Make Pumpkin Recipes

Spice Up Your Meals with Some Tasty Fall Dishes…

The autumn brings a harvest of fruits and vegetables unique to the season. Pumpkins aren’t just for carving! Enjoy the season’s favorite fruit in some surprising ways.  There’s much more in this squash than just pumpkin pie.

PUMPKIN-PECAN CHEESECAKE RECIPE:

 INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 4 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

Combine your favorite Thanksgiving desserts into one delicious cheesecake! A sweet Praline Topping sends this dessert over the edge.

PREPARATION:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a bowl until well blended. Press mixture on bottom and 1-1/2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
  2. Beat cream cheese and next 2 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended and smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add pumpkin and lemon juice, beating until blended. Pour batter into prepared crust. (Pan will be very full.)
  3. Bake at 325° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until almost set. Turn oven off. Let cheesecake stand in oven, with door closed, 15 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven, and gently run a knife around outer edge of cheesecake to loosen from sides of pan. (Do not remove sides of pan.) Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours.
  4. Remove sides and bottom of pan, and transfer cheesecake to a serving plate. Prepare Praline Topping; immediately pour slowly over top of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/4 inch of edge. Garnish, if desired.

PRALINE TOPPING:

 INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

PREPARATION:

  1. Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a 1-qt. saucepan over medium heat, stirring often. Boil, stirring occasionally, 1 minute; remove from heat. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Let stand 5 minutes, whisking occasionally. Use immediately.
  • GARNISHES: coarsely chopped Pecan Pie-Glazed Pecans, fresh sage leaves

TRY THIS TWIST!

  1. Sweet Potato-Pecan Cheesecake: Substitute 1-1/2 cups mashed, cooked sweet potatoes for canned pumpkin. Proceed with recipe as directed, baking 1 hour or until almost set.

BAKED PUMPKIN SEEDS RECIPE:

 INGREDIENTS:
  • Seeds of one pumpkin
  • Salt (see Tips & Notes for optional spice flavors)

An easy-to-make snack. You can spice up your baked pumpkin seeds in a few simple ways.

PREPARATION:

  1. Extract seeds from pumpkin.
  2. Separate and discard pulp.
  3. Thoroughly wash seeds in warm water.
  4. Spread seeds out onto a cookie sheet.
  5. Sprinkle generously with salt.
  6. Put into oven and bake at 3500 degrees for
    approximately 20 minutes.
  7. Check every five minutes and stir, adding more salt
    to taste.
  8. Check seeds to see if they are done by taking a
    sample out, allowing it cool, and tasting it. If the
    insides are dry, they are done.
  9. Allow to cool and serve.

TIPS & NOTES:

  1. FOR A SPICIER FLAVOR, REPLACE THE SALT WITH THESE SEASONINGS:

Cheesy Pumpkin Seeds — Sprinkle with cheesy popcorn seasoning.

Tex-Mex Style — Sprinkle powdered taco seasoning onto the seeds. This is better mixed in a bowl first.
Add more red pepper powder for a really hot seed!

Cajun Style — Mix seeds in a bowl with a packet of cajun seasonings mix. If you like it really spicy, add extra hot sauce.

Garlic Salt — Sprinkle over seeds for pumpkin seeds