WHAT KINDS OF THINGS DO LAFAYETTE EMPLOYEES DO WHEN NOT AT WORK?:   Maybe not everyone has asked this question about Lafayette employees, but every now and again, don’t you wonder what they are doing when not at work?  So we took our question to the “streets” of Lafayette West, and got at least two families who had something extra special that they did in December.  Our first story deals with the family of David Vanek.

DAVID VANEK, GROOMSMAN     By Reggie Vanek, Proud Mother

From the moment his sister, Kathy, asked him to be a groomsman in her wedding to Joe, David was so elated because he knew he would again be wearing a TUXEDO, just as he did in his brother Tom’s wedding to Kristi.  Now he would be holding the arm of his sister-in-law, Kristi.  Almost daily David talked about the wedding, holding Kristi’s arm in church, and dancing at the reception with his nieces, Madison and Paige, and friend Amanda.

When the day came, December 5, 2009, he did his part as Groomsman, without family.  PLUS, he and his friend, Amanda, distributed programs to those invited to the wedding.  David has handed out church Bulletins many times before, so this was a perfect fit for him.  As far as dancing, David was out there just shaking his “booty” and having a grand time.  People who hadn’t seen him for a while even commented on what a “ball” he was having, which indeed he was!

The second story involves Mandy Doss, our personal care attendant, and her family and friends going to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  Here’s their story:

	Left:  Daisy Duck poses with her special friends from St. Louis - Maryah (12), Desiree (8), Shyanne (6), Alanna (3), Kathy, Mandy and Cantrell
	Right:  Anyone recognize this place?  Epcott Center at Disney World in Florida.

It was amazing to spend Christmas in Disney World.  I never imagined my family swimming in a Mickey Mouse pool outdoors, in the middle of December.  We got to meet most of the Disney characters and had dinner with Disney princesses on Christmas day.  The day when we came home my children did not want to leave.  It was 75° in Florida and 25° in St. Louis.  Everyone should visit this magical place at least once.

ODDS ‘N’ ENDS

1)      If you have someone who has had an unpaid day off, you aren’t able bring in a note two days later asking for vacation.  Vacation days aren’t retroactive.  If the employee brings in a note the day after they have been out on an unpaid day, we can honor the request.  But if you bring a note asking for a vacation day for two days ago, then it is not possible to enter that day off as a vacation day.  Once an unpaid day is more than one day old, it is too late to change the designation.  If someone is not going to be in and you want to be sure they get paid for the day, call (636) 227-5666, x1100 and leave a message.  We have new phones, so it is possible to leave a message at this extension now.

2)      We have only one staff person who works on the payroll, and this staff person has many other duties besides just the payroll.  We have had an increased demand in the accounting office recently for past payroll records.  The accounting office is in the process of establishing a procedure for pay stub request information, as well as a form that will need to be filled out accompanying the request.  We will be letting you know about this information as it becomes available.

3)      We have had more instances of folks leaving without signing out or the people picking them up not signing them out.  This is a safety issue, and we need folks to come in and sign out folks they are picking up. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

4)      Just a reminder:  Please inform our Employee Development Department (Harry, Becky, or Lizzie) of any medication changes.  It is important to keep our information current in the event of a medical emergency.  Also, with the ups and downs of St. Louis weather please make sure that when you come to work you are dressed appropriately for the weather.

VALENTINE DINNER AND DANCE

For Lafayette Work Center Employees and their Family and Friends

Saturday, February 13, 2010 - 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

             Trinity Lutheran Church ▪ 14088 Clayton Road ▪ Chesterfield, MO   63017

Enjoy a wonderful dinner catered by Callier’s and
dance the evening away with your favorite sweetie to the tunes played by Sounsational D.J. Service

The cost is $10 per person.  Everyone attending must have a prior reservation - no walk-ins accepted.  Please write your check payable to LWC Auxiliary.  Please send your check or cash with the form below to the LWC office by the February 8^th deadline.  Call Gloria Marek at 636-256-3976 or 314-799-7684 if you have any questions.

Valentine Dinner and Dance - February 13, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 14088 Clayton Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017, from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m.  Everyone attending must have a reservation - no walk-ins accepted.  Participants must be picked up promptly at 9:00 p.m.  The Auxiliary is not responsible for getting the participants home.  Please make your checks payable to LWC Auxiliary and send your reservations and payment to the Lafayette Work Center by the February 8^th deadline.  Questions?  Call Gloria Marek at 636-256-3976 or 314-799-7684.  

                                     Call-A-Ride    _______   Yes _______   No

Name / Names of those attending                                                           Contact Number of Your Ride

___________________________________________          __________________________________________

___________________________________________          __________________________________________

$_________ Cash       Or        $_________ Check(s)                        Enclosed for _________ reservation(s).

Sheltered workers and their guests not accompanied by a parent, guardian or staff person will need an updated release form if they have not been to a LWC Auxiliary party within the last year.  See Becky S. in the front office for the release forms.  When in doubt, fill one out!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FEBRUARYITES!

                              West                                                                                                 North

The secret to eternal youth is arrested development. - Alice Roosevelt Longworth

HOW MANY OF THESE DID YOU KNOW ABOUT?

1.      When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

2.      Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead.   The throbbing will go away.

3.      Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.  Left over wine? What's that? :)

4.   To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief