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Employee Newsletter November 2025 (1)

Page 1


NOVEMBER 2025

Anniversa y Happy

CODY PETREE

MARGIE O’CONNEL

JENNY HAAS

MEREDITH PASKELL

HAYDEN HAWKINS

CODY MULCAHY

QUENTIN WILLIS

TERRY HOLLOWAY

MARK BOREN

LEE ANN JONES

KYLE LESTER

CALEB JONAS

JAROD LAWRENCE 21 YEARS 20 YEARS 19 YEARS 15 YEARS 9 YEARS 7 YEARS 7 YEARS 3 YEARS 3 YEARS 3 YEARS 2 YEARS 2 YEARS 2 YEARS 2 YEARS

CHRIS KIDWELL

B I RT H DAY

C E LE B R AT I O N S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

JONATHAN ROBINSON

TYLER REED

J.R. HAMES

JACOB PARKER

MILTON FUNES

BLAKE GORE

JAYSON JONES

KELSIE SWITZER

ALEXIS BRINER

ONITSUAF ROSARIO COTTO

ALICIA HOLSTON

11/02 11/05 11/08 11/10 11/12 11/14 11/16 11/23 11/27 11/29 11/29

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

JESSE RIVERA PUBLIC WORKS

IF YOU’VE EVER DRIVEN THROUGH ROANOKE AND ADMIRED OUR WELL-KEPT STREETS, THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE JESSE RIVERA HAD A HAND IN THAT. FOR THE PAST FIVE AND A HALF YEARS, JESSE HAS BEEN A DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE STREETS AND DRAINAGE TEAM, WHERE HIS STRONG WORK ETHIC AND COMMITMENT TO SAFETY SHINE THROUGH EVERY DAY. JESSE TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN KNOWING THE INS AND OUTS OF ROANOKE’S ROADWAYS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, ENSURING THINGS RUN SMOOTHLY AND SAFELY FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE. OVER THE YEARS, HE HAS EARNED HIS OPERATOR’S LICENSE AND IS CURRENTLY WORKING TOWARD HIS WASTEWATER LICENSE — A TESTAMENT TO HIS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. ALWAYS WILLING TO LEND A HAND, JESSE IS KNOWN FOR STEPPING UP TO ASSIST OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHENEVER NEEDED. OUTSIDE OF WORK, JESSE ENJOYS THE OUTDOORS. HE SPENDS HIS FREE TIME HUNTING, FISHING, AND ROPING — PASSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN WITH HIM FOR DECADES. IN FACT, BACK IN 1995, JESSE EARNED THE WILLIAM HOLLOWAY MEMORIAL AWARD FOR ALL AROUND COWBOY, A PROUD ACHIEVEMENT THAT REFLECTS HIS LOVE OF RODEO AND WESTERN TRADITION. THESE DAYS, WHILE HIS BACK AND HIPS HAVE RETIRED FROM RIDING, HE STILL ENJOYS WATCHING RODEOS AND STAYING ACTIVE BY RUNNING TO KEEP HEALTHY.

IF JESSE COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, HE’D HEAD TO CHEYENNE FRONTIER DAYS RODEO IN WYOMING, ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS RODEOS IN THE U.S. KNOWN FOR LEGENDARY BULL RIDER LANE FROST, THE EVENT CELEBRATES EVERYTHING JESSE LOVES ABOUT RODEO LIFE — GRIT, TRADITION, AND COWBOY SPIRIT.

AT HOME, JESSE STAYS BUSY WITH PROJECTS AND ENJOYS THE COMPANY OF HIS RESCUED 9YEAR-OLD RAT TERRIER. SHE’S SMART, SASSY, AND LOVES ROCKING-CHAIR TIME WITH ANYONE WILLING TO SHARE A SEAT — THOUGH SHE HAS NO PROBLEM BOSSING AROUND OTHER ANIMALS WHO STEP INTO HER TERRITORY! JESSE’S DEDICATION, TEAMWORK, AND POSITIVE SPIRIT MAKE HIM A VALUED PART OF THE CITY OF ROANOKE FAMILY. WE’RE GRATEFUL TO HAVE HIM ON THE TEAM — BOTH FOR HIS HARD WORK ON THE STREETS AND THE GOOD-NATURED ATTITUDE HE BRINGS EVERY DAY.

2025 Holiday Closures

Core Values Above Beyond Nominations

Doyouknowofanemployee/coworkerwhoembodiesoneormoreof ourcorevalues?Nominatethemforachancetowina$25giftcard.

EMPOWER:theprocessofgrantingemployeestheauthority,tools,and resourcestomakedecisionsandtakeactionsrelatedtotheirroles, withoutunnecessarymanagerialoversight.

CREATIVITY:Tobringsomethinggenuinelynewintoexistencethatis valuedenoughtobeaddedtotheculture.

DEDICATION:adeep,sustainedcommitmenttoatask,purpose,or goalthroughpassion,persistence,andhardwork.

CONNECTION:formingandnurturingrelationshipswithothers, leadingtoasenseofbelongingandmutualsupport.

SERVICE:aimingtoprovidehigh-qualityexperiencestocustomers, clients,andthecommunity.

OR Nomination Form

ScantoNominatean employeewhohasgone aboveandbeyond

OUR THREE PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTERS HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK TRAINING!

CHECK OUT THESE PHOTOS OF THEM IN ACTION!

JOIN US AT THE LIBRARY FOR

HEARTFULNESS MEDITATION

EVERY TUESDAY FROM 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM

IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM

DID YOU KNOW THAT MEDITATION CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR PHYSICAL, MENTAL, &EMOTIONAL FITNESS? LEARN FROM EXPERIENCED TRAINERS HOW TO MEDITATE TO IMPROVE YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE AND ACHIEVE BALANCE, PEACE, AND JOY. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.

Your Librarians Recommend Cozy Books November Edition

The AdventuresofSophieMouseseries

Ages 5-9.

JoinSophie Mouseandher many woodland friends on their adventures through the Silverlake Forest with this sweet and cozy chapter book series.

The Fall of Whit Rivera Ages 14+

After her long-distance boyfriend breaks up withher, Whitney Rivera sets out to make the perfect senior year. She takes charge of planning the Fall Formal, but surprise! Zay, her nemesis, is planning it too! Sparks fly, but they’re not all bad... Has their feud been a big misunderstanding all along?

The Thursday Murder Club

Adults

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves The Thursday Murder Club. (Now also a show on Netflix!)

SATURDAY, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND NOVEMBER 22ND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND 11AM - 4PM

RECIPES

KeyLimePie

Filling:

3csweetenedcondensedmilk(214ozcans)

3/4ckeylimejuice

1/2csourcream

1Tbspgratedlimezest CoolWhip

GrahamCrackerCrust: 2/3ctoastedsliveredalmonds

1cgrahamcrackercrumbs

1/4cwhitesugar

1pinchsalt

1/4cbutter,melted

Preheattheovento350°F.

CRUST:Pulsealmondsinafoodprocessoruntilfinelyground,thenpourintoamedium bowl.

Addgrahamcrackercrumbs,sugar,andsalt.

Pourinmeltedbutterandmixuntilevenlymoistened.

Pressintoa10-inchpieplate.

Bakeinthepreheatedovenuntilcrustisgoldenbrown,10to13minutes.

FILLING:Combinecondensedmilk,keylimejuice,sourcream,andlimezestinabowl; mixwell.

Pourintograhamcrackeralmondcrust;placepieonabakingsheet.

Bakeinthepreheatedovenfor5to8minutes,untiltinypinholebubblesburstonthe surfaceofthepie.Thefillingwillbewobblybutnotbrowned.

Transferpietoawireracktocool,thenthoroughlychillpieintherefrigeratorbefore serving,about1hour.

Garnishwithlimeslicesandwhippedcream,ifdesired.

JELLO FRUIT MOLD

YOU NEED:

14.5 OZ CAN OF FRUIT COCKTAIL (IN WATER, NO SUGAR ADDED) $1.66

0.3 OZ PACKET OF SUGAR FREE JELLO (YOUR CHOICE OF FLAVOR) $0.98

2 CUPS WATER

HOLIDAY THEMED GUMMIES (OPTIONAL)

IF AUNT BETHANY'S COMING, USE LIME FLAVOR AND SUBSTITUTE CHEERIOS (OPTIONAL)

DIRECTIONS:

START BOILING SOME WATER. GET A COLANDER AND LINE IT WITH A PAPER TOWEL, THEN DUMP IN THE FRUIT. RINSE AND LET DRAIN.

IN A HEAT RESISTANT BOWL, ADD 1 CUP OF THE BOILING WATER. ADD THE JELLO POWDER AND STIR UNTIL IT IS DISSOLVED. THEN ADD A SECOND CUP OF COLD WATER.

YOU CAN PREPARE THIS AS EITHER ONE LARGE JELLO MOLD OR BUILD IT IN SEPARATE CUPS.

FOR A SINGLE MOLD, GET A SMALL CASSEROLE DISH OR PLASTIC CONTAINER, LAYER THE FRUIT ON THE BOTTOM. AND POUR THE JELLO MIXTURE OVER IT. YOU WANT IT ABOUT 1 1/2" TO 2" DEEP. PUT IT IN THE REFRIGERATOR OVERNIGHT UNTIL SET. YOU CAN SCOOP FROM THE DISH OR CUT INTO SQUARES TO SERVE. FOR INDIVIDUAL CUPS, GET ABOUT 6 TO 8 MEDIUM SIZED CUPS. PUT A SPOONFUL OF FRUIT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CUP AND ADD SOME JELLO ON TOP. IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN ADD SOME HOLIDAY THEMED GUMMIES WITH THE FRUIT. PUT THE CUPS ON A BAKING SHEET AND PLACE IN THE REFRIGERATOR OVERNIGHT UNTIL SET. FOR LARGER GATHERINGS, GET TWO CANS OF FRUIT AND THE 0.6 OZ

PACKET OF JELLO.IT'S ABOUT 25 CALORIES PER SERVING.

NOTE: DON'T USE FRUIT IN SYRUP OR YOUR JELLO WON'T SET.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

OLD SCHOOL SOUTHERN LIVING SERVES 8

6 TABLESPOONS UNSALTED BUTTER, DIVIDED

3 POUNDS YELLOW SQUASH, SLICED ¼-INCH THICK (FROM 5 MEDIUM SQUASH)

1 MEDIUM-SIZE YELLOW ONION, CHOPPED (ABOUT 1 ½ CUPS)

2 TEASPOONS KOSHER SALT, DIVIDED

2 LARGE EGGS, LIGHTLY BEATEN

1 (8-OZ.) CONTAINER SOUR CREAM

4 OUNCES SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE, SHREDDED (ABOUT 1 CUP)

2 OUNCES SWISS CHEESE, SHREDDED (ABOUT ½ CUP)

1/2 CUP MAYONNAISE

2 TEASPOONS CHOPPED FRESH THYME

1/2 TEASPOON BLACK PEPPER

2 SLEEVES ROUND BUTTERY CRACKERS (SUCH AS RITZ), COARSELY CRUSHED

1 OUNCE PARMESAN CHEESE, SHREDDED (ABOUT ¼ CUP)

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350°F. MELT 3 TBSP OF THE BUTTER IN A LARGE SKILLET OVER MEDIUM-HIGH. ADD SQUASH, ONION, AND 1 TSP OF THE SALT; COOK, STIRRING OFTEN, UNTIL CENTER OF SQUASH IS JUST TENDER AND LIQUID HAS EVAPORATED, ABOUT 10 MINUTES. TRANSFER MIXTURE TO A COLANDER SET OVER A BOWL. DRAIN 5 MINUTES; DISCARD ANY LIQUID. STIR TOGETHER EGGS, SOUR CREAM, CHEDDAR AND SWISS CHEESES, MAYONNAISE, THYME, PEPPER, AND REMAINING 1 TSP SALT IN A LARGE BOWL. GENTLY FOLD IN SQUASH MIXTURE. SPOON INTO A LIGHTLY GREASED 11- X 7-INCH (2-QUART) BAKING DISH. MICROWAVE REMAINING 3 TBSP BUTTER IN A MEDIUM-SIZE MICROWAVABLE BOWL ON HIGH UNTIL MELTED, ABOUT 25 SECONDS. TOSS TOGETHER CRACKERS, PARMESAN CHEESE, AND MELTED BUTTER UNTIL COMBINED; SPRINKLE OVER CASSEROLE. BAKE IN PREHEATED OVEN UNTIL GOLDEN BROWN, ABOUT 20 MINUTES.

CARAMEL MORSEL BARS

14 OZ. CARAMELS

3 TBS. WATER

5 C. CRISP RICE CERAL

1 C. PEANUTS

6 OZ. SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS

6 OZ. BUTTERSCOTCH CHPS

PREHEAT OVEN TO 200 DEGREES. MELT CARAMELS WITH WATER IN SAUCEPAN OVER LOW HEAT. STIR UNTIL SMOOTH. IN A LARGE BOWL, ADD CEREAL AND NUTS. POUR MELTED CARAMEL OVER THIS AND STIR UNTIL WELL COMBINED. GREASE A 13X9 PAN. WITH GREASED OR BUTTERED FINGERS, PRESS MIXTURE INTO PAN. SPRINKLE CHOCOLATE & BUTTERSCOTCH CHIPS ON TOP. PLACE IN HEATED OVEN FOR 5 MINUTES, OR UNTIL CHIPS HAVE SOFTENED. SPREAD SOFTENED CHIPS UNTIL BLENDED OVER THE SURFACE OF THE BARS. COOL, THEN CUT INTO BARS.

FROST ON THE PUMPKIN PIE

1 GRAHAM CRACKER PIE CRUST

1 CAN PUREED PUMPKIN (NOT PIE FILLING)

1 CAN CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 OZ. SOUR CREAM

8 OZ. COOL WHIP

1 TSP. CINNAMON

1/2 TSP. GROUND GINGER

1/4 TSP. GROUND CLOVES

IN A LARGE BOWL, COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS EXCEPT COOL WHIP. BEAT AT MEDIUM SPEED FOR 2 MINUTES. FOLD IN 1 CUP OF THE COOL WHIP. POUR INTO CRUST AND REFRIGERATE FOR AT LEAST 2-4 HOURS. TOP WITH REMAINING COOL WHIP BEFORE SERVING. *I USUALLY DOUBLE THE SPICES & ADD ALLSPICE AND NUTMEG.

SEASON TO YOUR HEART'S DESIRE!

CHRISTMAS POSSUM

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