New Year, New Food!

The New Year is here, and it’s time for a change! Instead of sticking with the same old resolutions that you know you aren’t going to fulfill, why not switch it up to something fun and exciting!

When making at a health based resolution, most people would say “I’m going to cut fatty foods from my diet”, or “I’m going to eat less carbs”, but that’s boring... How about trying a new food, each week!

This is a great way to introduce new foods to your body and keep your diet varied! There are a ton of websites that offer great new meal or snack solutions, and I guarantee you haven’t heard of most of them! I most often refer to RealSimple.com or Food.com, both of these websites have a lot of articles that offer weekly meal plans. As I’m reading over the recipe, I often notice that some of the ingredients that I would usually turn my nose up to. But when you’re combing some ingredients together, it creates a whole new delicious flavor!

Here is one article to help get you started! I did all the leg work for you, now there’s no excuse!

Written by: Emily P.

Santa Hat Cookies

Simple cute cookies that are perfect for the Christmas Season

Ingredients

1 package Pillsbury™ ready-to-bake sugar cookies

1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme (1 1/2 cups)

1 cup butter, softened

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon red gel food color

48 miniature marshmallows

White candy sprinkles

Step 1) Heat oven to 350°F. Cut each cookie in half. Roll each half into a ball. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Step 2) Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set and golden brown. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheets before removing to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.

Step 3) To make frosting, in large bowl, beat marshmallow crème and softened butter with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. Add food color, and beat until well combined.

Step 4) Place frosting in resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut off 1 tiny corner of bag. Pipe frosting, piling up in hat shape, on top of each cookie.

Step 5) Top each hat with miniature marshmallow. Gently press sprinkles around bottom edge of each hat so they stick to frosting.

Enjoy!

Post By: Melissa K.

PRESS RELEASE: 50/50 Raffle Success

GAMBLER GAME 50/50 RAFFLE HELPS TOOLS 4 SCHOOLS INITIATIVE

·        Horizon Community Credit Union raised enough funds through a 50/50 raffle, along with an outside donation, to donate 300 pair of waterproof mittens

·        Funds were raised through the Tools 4 Schools initiative, which raises money for school supplies for children at Nicolet and Martin Elementary schools in Green Bay.

GREEN BAY, WI—There are many who remember their first day of their elementary school year.  There were brand new, sharpened pencils and shiny new markers.  Unfortunately, there are children in our community who don’t get to experience this excitement because their family cannot afford school supplies. Horizon Community Credit Union looks to solve this problem through their annual Tools 4 Schools campaign.

Horizon Community Credit Union staff and volunteers sold 50/50 Raffle tickets at the December 11^th  Green Bay Gamblers home game. The raffle proceeds benefit their Tools 4 Schools initiative, which will go towards 300 pairs of mittens for children in need. “The biggest request we hear during this time is for winter gear, especially mittens,” said Patrick Josephson, Horizon Community Credit Union President, “warm hand, warm hearts—we just want to help the children” 

Tools 4 Schools is an initiative Horizon Community Credit Union started. They fundraise in the summer so they can purchase school supplies for the children at Nicolet and Martin Elementary Schools right here in Green Bay. Their 2015 campaign raised $1,572.52 in donations from members and business partners.  The staff surpassed their fundraising goal, so they were able to “slime” their President, Patrick Josephson. You can watch the video below!

Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas!

With Christmas day right around the corner, we are headed full speed down the home stretch. Whether you are a last minute shopper or not, do not give off that impression. With these easy DIY Christmas gift wrapping, you can wow your family and friends. After all, it is the thought that counts.

With the help of kids, this is an easy and fun way to deck up brown paper bags as cute reindeer's.

Make your gifts stand out underneath the tree with beautiful embellishments from your arts and crafts supply box.

Instead of name tags, add photos of the recipient to give it that extra personalized touch. To add some mystery and fun, try drawing them and have them guess which gift is theirs.

Wrap kids gifts with crayons. This is especially useful for big Christmas parties, where kids have to wait to open their presents.

Use popsicle sticks as name tags to give it that rustic feel for a snowy white Christmas. 

Post by: Mai Y.

References:

http://www.craftionary.net/diy-gift-wrapping-ideas-christmas-holidays/ 
http://www.shelterness.com/11-diy-last-minute-christmas-gift-wrapping-ideas/

Tips for a Stress(less) Christmas

Every year I tell myself that I am going to buy gifts earlier then December and that I am going to get the decorating done right after Thanksgiving. Well I can tell you that it’s December 18th and I still have to finish Christmas shopping and there are no lights outside my house right now. I can’t believe how quick Christmas seems to be coming this year. I have spoken to friends and family on both sides of the spectrum and it seems some are totally ready for Christmas while others are stressing about getting things done. Now it might be too late for me, but these are some things that may be helpful to you and that I plan to keep in mind for Christmas next year….I hope!

1. Start Saving! I started my Christmas club with HCCU 2 years ago and this has help so much with our Christmas budget. I put away $25 per pay check and come October I have around $650 saved. I can’t imagine where I would have pulled that money from if I hadn’t been saving all year long. Christmas gifts get expensive so save your money to save you the stress.

2. Start decorating after Thanksgiving! I usually end up working the day after Thanksgiving and in the past I always ended up decorating the Saturday after Christmas. I don’t know what my procrastination was this year, but I didn’t get my decorations up until 2 weeks ago. Decorate early so that you have time to pick up decorations that you may need to replace or update It also allows you to enjoy your decoration efforts for a lot longer.

3. Start shopping early! My mom used to always start shopping after Christmas. She said that is when you get the best deals. I used to work in retail so I know that this is true especially when it comes to Christmas items. Some Christmas clearance starts at 70% on December 26th. Think about how much you can get done if you do not have to shop in December. You also won’t have to deal with crowds and trying to figure out what people want. Try to keep in mind when you hear your friends and family talking about things they want throughout the year and pick those items up right away. Again, whatever you can get done early will make you less stressed.

4. Don’t try to please everyone! My boyfriend has divorced parents so we are bound to at least 3 Christmases each year. Add in Christmas with our extended families and that can be a lot! We tell ourselves each year that our immediate family comes first. We always make it to my parent’s house each year, his mom’s house and his dads. If we can fit our extended families in as well we do, but we don’t go to every party that we get invited to. This allows us to enjoy Christmas and not feel like all we are doing is traveling all day long.

5. Limit your spending! Each year it feels like we are spending more and more on Christmas gifts. Each year I tell myself that we are going to cut back and it seems like we continue to buy more. While our families always come first I decided this year to cut back on buying all of our friend’s gifts. Instead of buying gifts we decided to go out and have a nice dinner. Each couple ends up spending $100 on gifts, that money can pay for a really nice dinner and then you are not buying things that your friends could go out and buy themselves.

So there you have it. These are some great tips on how you can make the holidays a bit less stressful. I can’t tell you how many times I hear people say that they don’t like Christmas because of all the work that they need to do. Keep these tips in mind and you may just have a Merry Christmas after all!

Written By: Katie B.

Recycle Bottle Caps with this Cute Ornament Craft!

I have stated in previous blogs that I am addicted to Pinterest especially when it comes to recipes and decorating my house. I had my family over for Thanksgiving and my mom; sister and I were working on some Christmas craft ideas. The original craft we planned didn’t really pan out so I pulled up my Pinterest board and found a craft that I knew I had the stuff for. This was soooo easy and super simple to make.

Supplies you need:

• White Paint
• Hot glue gun
• 3 beer bottle caps
• Orange permanent marker
• Black permanent marker
• Ribbon
• Assorted buttons

What you need to do:

1. Save the bottle caps off of 3 of your bottled beverage of choice.

2. Paint the inside of the beer cap with white paint.

3. Once the paint has completely dried glue the bottle caps together side by side on the edges as shown in the picture above. You’re basically building a snowman with the bottle caps.

4. Draw a snowman face on the top bottle cap using an orange marker for the nose and black for the eyes and moth.

5. Draw buttons on the middle bottle cap with black marker

6. Fold a piece of ribbon on an angle to create a scarf. You will then glue this in between the top and middle bottle cap.

7. Glue a button or any other type of small Christmas decoration to the folded part of the scarf to add a little something extra to the ornament.

8. Create a loop with another piece of ribbon to create a hook and glue this to the back side of top bottle cap.

That’s it! Now you have a cute ornament to hang on your tree or to give as a gift!

Written By: Katie B. 

What You Need To Know About Phishing

If you’ve ever gotten a suspicious email that looks official, you may have been the target of a phishing scam. And you wouldn’t be alone; hundreds of thousands of phishing attacks are reported every year. One of those attacks centered on Capital Credit Union this past month.  Some members of Capital Credit Union were sent an email using Capital Credit Union’s logo, name, and phone number to convince recipients they were legitimate. The fake email told members they needed to click on a link and enter in their login information for their personal account. Unfortunately, hackers can use this information to access their account.  With this in mind, we wanted to remind people what they can do to prevent this from happening to them. We do everything possible to keep our members’ personal information secure, but there is something you can do as well.

Be very cautious of emails asking you for personal information. If it sounds urgent and asks for specific account information, you should be suspicious. We won’t ask you for information that we already have on file, so it’s possible someone is trying to steal your information. If you feel unsure about replying to any email, call us at 920-433-0122. 

Here are some examples of phishing emails: 

Written By: Noelle C

Winter Wine Walk on Broadway

What can you do in the middle of December? In Wisconsin? Think that it is too cold to get out and do something fun? Think again. The businesses in the Broadway District are offering a Winter Wine Walk on the three Fridays in December before Christmas.

 
The 2nd annual Winter Wine Walk On Broadway takes place December 4th, 11th, and 18th from 5 pm- 9 pm. Enjoy wine tasting sessions from local and Door County wineries in the warmth and comfort of area businesses dotted across the Broadway District. Purchase punch cards for only $5.00 / person at any store along the walk! Pick a store to start at, purchase your punch ticket, and begin the fun. Each store will punch your ticket, give you a sample of wine, your can brose the store and make your purchase, and then move on to the next business. If you don’t fill up your punch card in one night come back and visit the next week and continue your fun. 

 
The Winter Wine Walk has enlisted over twenty five different Broadway shops to host the wineries including Besseli, Petal Pusher, Sassy Girl, Little Tokyo, and more! Along with any purchase you may find in these unique stores, bottles of wine may also be purchased during the Wine Walk. 

 
Come and visit the stores in the Broadway district and enjoy. Anyone that knows me knows I like my wine, so I will definitely be there. I will also be a volunteer in Sassy Girl on Dec. 18th, so stop in and see me.

Written By: Karen S.  

Get a Grip!

I used to think my wrist and hand problems were mostly from my aerial endeavors. I spoke with an instructor at the studio, and  she told me that soreness is normal, but my tingling and numbness is definitely not (and that’s been going on for a couple years now). I have not seen a medical professional, but I will have to sooner or later!

So, folks, let me impart some of what I’ve found, so that you can do your best to avoid your own tingling and numbness! There’s no proven strategy to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome, but these should reduce the stress on your hands and wrists:

·         Reduce your force and relax your grip. Most people use more force than needed to perform many manual tasks. If your work involves a cash register, for instance, hit the keys softly. For prolonged handwriting, use a big pen with an oversized, soft grip adapter and free-flowing ink. This way you won't have to grip the pen tightly or press as hard on the paper.

·         Take frequent breaks. Give your hands and wrists a break by gently stretching and bending them periodically. Alternate tasks when possible. If you use equipment that vibrates or that requires you to exert a great amount of force, taking breaks is even more important.

·         Watch your form. Avoid bending your wrist all the way up or down. A relaxed middle position is best. If you use a keyboard, keep it at elbow height or slightly lower. 

·         Improve your posture. Incorrect posture can cause your shoulders to roll forward. When your shoulders are in this position, your neck and shoulder muscles are shortened, compressing nerves in your neck. This can affect your wrists, fingers and hands.

·         Keep your hands warm. You're more likely to develop hand pain and stiffness if you work in a cold environment. If you can't control the temperature at work, put on fingerless gloves that keep your hands and wrists warm.

(Mayo Clinic)

As for the rest of your body, you might want to reference this graphic:

So what are YOU doing to prevent stress on your body at the office? 

Written By: Breanna B.

Comfort Food at it's Finest

There is nothing that I love more than mashed potatoes and gravy. I am one of those people who will load up on the mashed potatoes with extra gravy whenever it's offered as a side. The best part of the Thanksgiving feast is this yummy side. By the time I get home from work at night I just want to eat something quick and easy for dinner. A lot of times this requires throwing something in the crockpot so that it is just about ready to eat by the time I get home. I spend plenty of time on Pinterest looking for quick and easy recipes or recipes that I can make in the crockpot. I found this awesome Chicken and Gravy recipe just this last week. It is sooooooo good and super easy.

Photo Courtesy of Food.com

Ingredients:

• 3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 can of Chicken Broth (I used the low sodium kind)
• 2 packets of chicken gravy mix (I used the low sodium kind of this as well)
• Mashed potatoes (You can make the homemade kind or if you are in a hurry I like to buy the kind that they sell in the cold food section that you just heat up and serve)

Directions:

1. Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot on the low setting if you will be cooking these for 8 hours or longer. Cook on high if you will be cooking them 4-5 hours.
2. Pour the can of chicken broth over the chicken breasts if they do not entirely cover the chicken breasts add just a little bit of water.
3. Cooking time is completed when the chicken falls off the fork and is able to be shredded.
4. Remove chicken from the Crockpot and shred with a fork in a bowl.
5. Take 2 cups of the chicken broth and put this in a saucepan with the two gravy packets. Heat until gravy thickens-About 2 minutes.

Serve chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

Written by: Katie B.

Makin’ My Mouth Water Brownie Truffles

http://ow.ly/Tbji5 

Ingredients:

4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate (4 oz.)
1 cup butter
4 eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 (12 oz.) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Melted milk chocolate for topping and sprinkles (optional) for decoration

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Grease a 9”×13'' inch pan well.

3. Chop butter and unsweetened chocolate into chunks and place together in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals (no longer or you might burn it!), stirring in between, until melted. Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally.

4. In a large bowl beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. While stirring, slowly add the melted chocolate.

5. In a separate small bowl combine flour and baking powder. Stir flour into chocolate batter until combined. Pour batter into greased pan and bake for 20-30 minutes or until a knife poked in the center comes out clean.

6. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

7. Once brownies are cool, cut off and remove the very outer edge where a "crust" sometimes forms (eat the crust, don’t throw it away. It’s delicious, it just doesn't go in the truffles.). Then use a fork to fluff the mixture into crumbs. Take a small cookie scoop (or just use your hands) to roll the brownie crumbs into 30-35 small balls. Place them on a large, parchment lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until firm.

8. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave until smooth. Use a spoon to roll the brownie balls in the melted chocolate--I remove them with a fork to allow the excess chocolate to drip off. Place the truffles carefully on parchment paper. At this point you could add sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate until set. After they are set, you can drizzle them with melted milk chocolate if you’d like.

9. Store in the fridge and remove 5 minutes before serving.

Post by: Cari J. 

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) – What You Need To Know

Hearing the words “Adjustable Rate Mortgage” can send some prospective borrowers running for the hills.  But what is an adjustable rate mortgage?  An adjustable rate mortgage is a mortgage whose interest rate is adjusted periodically to reflect market conditions.  You might be thinking: A 30-year loan with an interest rate that can fluctuate over the life of the loan?  If you’re not familiar with the terminology, it can sound scary!  But understanding the terms can help you understand your options better, make a smarter choice, and decide if an adjustable rate mortgage just might be a good fit for you after all. 

The following factors will play an important role in how your loan will work, both today and into the future.  Additionally, the specific numbers you are quoted for each variable can make a big difference in whether or not the loan is truly a good deal.  So what do you need to know?

Initial Interest Rate:  The initial (or sometimes “introductory”) interest rate is the interest rate that you will start out paying on your mortgage. 

Initial Fixed Rate Period:  This refers to a length of time that your initial interest rate is “locked-in” at the beginning of your loan, meaning that it will not change during that time period.  This can vary greatly, so you will want to make sure you ask this.  You may have a period of five years where the rate cannot change, or you may have a period of six months where the rate cannot change.  Knowing how long your rate will remain “fixed” initially can help you plan ahead in terms of budgeting and rule out loans that are not a good fit for you. 

Adjustment Frequency:  After the initial fixed rate period has expired and your loan’s interest rate begins to change, the adjustment frequency will tell you how often to expect a change in your rate.  An adjustment frequency quoted as annually means that, after the initial fixed rate period has expired, each year going forward your interest rate may change according to the economic conditions at that time.  Likewise, an adjustment period of every three years means that your interest rate will be recalculated at three year intervals for the remaining term of your loan.    

Index Rate:  The index rate is a benchmark market value that will be used to calculate each new interest rate on your loan.  Index rates can be based off the value of a single financial instrument (US Treasury Securities) or an average of several financial instruments.  You may be familiar with some index rates, such as the LIBOR (London Inter-Bank Offered Rate) or the Treasury Constant Maturities Index.  When you find out which index is used in calculating your interest rate adjustments, you can research the current index values as well as how stable the rate has been historically. 

Margin:  The margin is a figure set by the financial institution which is also used in calculating each new interest rate.  This is a fixed value that will be added to the index value when calculating the new interest rate. 

Floor (Interest Rate Floor):  This is the lowest value that the rate on your adjustable rate mortgage can ever be.  Depending on the other terms of your loan, it IS possible that your interest rate could adjust downward instead of upward.  Knowing the floor rate on your loan will help you estimate the range of possible payments that you may experience over the life of your ARM.

Ceiling (Interest Rate Ceiling):  The ceiling is the highest value that the interest rate on your adjustable rate mortgage can ever be.  This value will help you calculate your maximum possible payment on your loan, to know whether it would be affordable to you. 

Periodic Cap/Maximum Change (per adjustment):  This value will tell you how much your interest rate can change at any given adjustment.  For example, a maximum change of 2% means that even if market conditions have gone haywire, the most that your interest rate can change is 2% at the next adjustment.  This value helps to safeguard you from skyrocketing interest rates on your mortgage. 

Rounding Factor:  This dictates how the final calculation of your interest rate will be rounded.   It could be rounded up or down, depending on the terms specific to your loan.  The rounded interest rate must be an even multiple of the rounding factor (i.e. for a Rounding Factor of 0.125%, the new rate must be X.00%, X.125%, X.25%, X.375%, X.50%, X.625%, X.75%, or X.875%).

So, now that you know a little of the background information, let's cover how your interest rate actually determined.

Index + Margin = Rate // [Round as required] // Compare to Ceiling, Floor, and Periodic Cap Values

The interest rate on your loan will be calculated by taking the current index rate value, adding the margin, and then rounding it according to the terms of you loan.  Once that value has been determined, the interest rate will be tested compared to the floor, ceiling, and maximum per-change value to ensure that it is within all of those guidelines and limitations.   In other words, the final rate must be higher than or equal to the floor, lower than or equal to the ceiling, and cannot change by more than the periodic cap over the previous interest rate. 

Let’s say that the interest rate on your ARM is currently 3.75%, with a floor of 3.75% and a ceiling of 9.75%.  Using Horizon Community Credit Union’s currently offered loan terms on a 5-1 ARM (fixed for 5 years and adjusting annually thereafter) shown below, the calculation would look like this:

Index Rate: 0.34 (1 Year Treasury Index)

Margin: 3.5

Maximum Increase per Adjustment: 2%

Maximum Decrease per Adjustment: None (meaning that the rate can decrease by any amount)

Rounding Factor: to the nearest 0.125%

The calculation for the new interest rate would then be:

0.34 + 3.5 = 3.84 // Rounded = 3.875

3.875% is greater than the floor, lower than the ceiling, and is less than a 2% increase over the current rate of 3.75%

One final question to ask is what a change in the interest rate will affect.  At Horizon Community Credit Union, a change in the interest rate of your loan will impact your monthly payment amount.  However, other possibilities are the loan term (or the length of the loan), or the amount due at the maturity date of your loan. 

So you see, as long as you do your homework when shopping around, not only getting the starting interest rate but also the variables that will impact your interest rate down the road, you can end up with a great adjustable rate mortgage loan that will fit your needs now and into the future.  

Written By: Cari J.

Random Acts of Kindness - What's Yours?

Editors Note: Horizon Community Credit Union staff went into the community in early October (2015) and together performed 83 Random Acts of Kindness, which you can see here. No names are listed with any of the acts; however, Loan Officer Lori volunteered her reflection on one particular act of kindness she performed. What follows below is that reflection.

A few months back on my way to work each morning, I noticed this gentleman at the bus stop just standing there waiting, people standing around him, no one saying anything, people coming up to the stop sign and not noticing him or anything around him for that matter, including myself. So one day, I waved at him, he looked at me like I had 3 heads, looked around as if to say are you waving at me. He is an older man, scruffy beard, tough looking guy. I started wondering what his story was, how life had been to him, what he lived thru. Why he was standing at a bus stop at his age each morning, where was he going, what was he doing, did he have a family, etc.

So each day I pulled up to the stop sign, I would wave, finally he started waving back, now each morning when I pull up he has the biggest smile on his face and waves before I get a chance, but what I notice the most is his eyes. Before it just seemed that he would stand there with no expression of any kind, but now he has a giant smile and his eyes sparkle. When I pull up and he isn’t there I find my day is a little off, just a bit different. One day I stopped, got out of my car and walked up to him and introduced myself and asked him his name. His name is Leonard. One day I brought him coffee and he was so happy and grateful, each day I look for him. I hope in a small way I make him feel better about his day. I know for sure he has given me more than I have given him, he makes my day just a little brighter. Something money will ever be able to buy. Funny how a complete stranger can bring something to your day. I now look forward to seeing Leonard standing at the bus stop. I hope he looks forward to seeing me too.

We have become so programmed and have let electronics and technology take over our lives that we forget how important human interaction is. Just a wave , and it cost me nothing but has given me so much.

I love the random act of kindness, not only are we doing something for someone outside of ourselves, without any expectation of anything back, but you are literally giving to yourself. There is no better feeling than to do something for someone else when they don’t expect it.Especially in this day and age when everyone feels like others always have an ulterior motive for what they are doing.

Written by: Lori S.

Packer Tailgating

Football season is in full swing, and you can bet the Packers are "bringing it" this season. You can gear up for games at Lambeau Field at the Tundra Tailgate Zone located outside the Oneida Nation Gate. There is a live band, Packer gear and ticket giveaways, a variety of food and beverages for purchase and tons of HD TVs to enjoy the game inside climate controlled tents. This is free and open to the public. The Tundra Tailgate Zone opens four hours prior to kickoff, and for noon kickoffs, stays open for the following prime time match-ups.

Regardless of the weather, our Packer Nation always shows up. For holders of season parking passes, show off your green and gold automobiles and take out the grill… or sofa. There are a number of parking lots close to Lambeau Field that are available for those who wish to reserve spaces for their tailgating antics. So, make sure you leave your TVdinners at home and come out and enjoy some Wisconsin beer brats.

Written by: Mai Y.

Veterans in My Life: Alice's Story

Father 
Bruno B Luberda
World War II
Marine Corps - Corporal
Tank Driver
Fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima
Wounded in Saipan when his tank was hit by enemy fire
Awarded the Purple Heart
Served 1942-1946

Sister
Lynn M Luberda
Army – Sergeant 1978-1981
Helicopter Maintenance/Turbine Engines
Served in California, Korea and Kentucky
Reserves until 1990

Uncle
Chester Luberda
Sobieski, Wi
Born 10-09-1923
Causality 05-30-1945
World War ll
Marine Corps – Radio Operator
Corporal – Marine Bombing Squadron VMB-611
Died while serving

LOCATION
Davao, Philippines
DETAILS
KIA MIA killed and missing in action




BURIAL

Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO

AWARDS

★ Purple Heart

★ American Campaign Medal

★ World War II Victory Medal

★ Combat Action Ribbon

ADDITIONAL DETAILS - Corporal Luberda was reported missing in action on May 30, 1945 while on a regularly scheduled combat strike against enemy installations at the Kibawe Trail area near Davao, Mindanao.

Lt. Fish's aircraft wreckage and crew skeletal remains were found on November 16, 1956 in the area the plane was reported missing. Although individual identification was impossible, it was confirmed that the remains were of Lt. Fish and his crew. A group burial of the eight Marines, with full military honors, was held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO on July 15, 1957.

By: Alice E.

Veterans in My Life: Breanna's Story

Sneaky selfie with two veterans in the background!
My grandpa (left) is a Navy veteran, and my father (right) is a Nat'l Guard veteran. 

It could be argued that I was born into the Armed Services culture--I think it's stuck with me to this day.  I was born in Oceanside, CA, right off of the Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, where my father was stationed. I tease him, to this day, that we should have stayed in that warm climate! Alas, the Marine Corps life was no longer his calling, so my father moved us to Minnesota, where he began serving in the National Guard. 

My father, the human sacrifice? He's the one laying down, about to be "gutted" by his comrade.

After my parents divorced, my father remarried to a soldier. Our family grew to a whopping five kids (four boys and me). Between my former Drill Instructor father and my soldier stepmother, there were minimal issues in keeping us in line, homework done, and chores completed. It was "Yes ma'am/sir" and "No ma'am/sir" and all manners were paramount. As a child, and especially as a teen, I resented this strictness. I grew to resent it even more when my father was sent on four consecutive deployments while I was in Junior High/High School.

My dad is directly to the right of the man in the black shirt.
Not sure whether this is Iraq or Afghanistan...

The first deployment was to Iraq. Not long after he left, we got a call: He had been injured. A base housing generator had blown up near him. He jumped in front of the men that were with him to shield them from the blast. This left him with some very bad burns and a traumatic brain injury. After some skin grafts and a few months of recovery, he was ready to return. As a teen, I didn't understand why he felt "unfulfilled" and needed to complete his deployment. This led him to his deployment in Kabul, Afghanistan with the Engineers Corps. He was able to finish this one out, and we, thankfully, didn't get a phone call. His next deployment was at the WI Nat'l Guard base in Tomah, WI (yes, that's technically a deployment for this MN Nat'l Guardsman :) ). Last, but not least, he was sent to Seoul, South Korea. That deployment ended just in time. The day I graduated from high school was the first time I got to see my father in person in at least a year! 

My dad now. He lives in western WI. Miss him!

As an adult, I'm very grateful for those values my father instilled in me.  I know to be respectful and what it means to be dependable. I know that when I work with a team, it's important that I do my duties to help the team succeed. I also know, if my father can survive what he survived, that I can survive anything I'm going through! I'm forever grateful for the sacrifices he's made and I'm so proud of him. 

Thank a vet---they deserve it!

Written By: Breanna B. 

A Personal Finance Story: 12 year-old Lori saving For Her Horse!

Way back then before technology, 12 year-old children did different things to occupy their time. I was no different.

My passion back then was horses.I grew up on a farm and always had a pony or horse since the age of three. I rode whenever I could. I love the freedom, pleasure and escape. My horse at the time became very ill. The veterinarian could not diagnose what the problem was and she passed away. I was heart-broken. My friend and buddy, my escape, my freedom---all gone. I felt completely lost.

The only thing that was going to fill this void was a new horse. So, I started saving my allowance to buy myself a new best buddy. Back then, kids didn’t have accounts in a bank for savings. It was up to us to save up for things we wanted but didn’t need. This can be very hard , especially as a 12 year-old with a case of the "I wants."

 I took up the envelope savings system. I got three envelopes, labeled them and started saving that way. One of those envelopes was for my new buddy. That envelope was my priority envelope. My desire for a new horse seemed to trump the desire for the new Adidas white tennis shoe with the red stripes. Those were the big deal in middle school back then, but I opted for my new four-legged buddy over being cool. Everyone else was wearing the cool shoes and I stuck with my pay-less shoes so I could have my horse.

If I had to go back in time to twelve again, I would still pick the horse.

I believe that learning to manage money and save for what I wanted helped me be more responsible.

Now we can set up ten different savings accounts for one person so they can meet those goals, which is convenient and much safer than using envelopes. It is pretty much the same scenario. Some things change, and some things stay the same. 

Post by: Lori S.

Stock The Shelves 2015

We are so excited to be a part Stock the Shelves again this year. There are some exciting new things that have come to this fundrasing event!

This year, Stock the Shelves has a spokesperson--Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Randall Cobb! Anyone who makes a monetary donation of $100 or more will receive Stock the Shelves Stock, with Cobb's face on it!

If you make a qualifying donation here at Horizon Community Credit Union, your stock will be mailed to you by the Press Gazette. 

Not only can you be rewarded with a this Stock when you donate, but your donation goes twice as far with matches, thanks to: JJ Keller, US Venture, Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions, Brown County Chapter of Credit Unions, Gannett Wisconsin Media, Fox Valley Community Foundation, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, and Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin. 

Brown County's fundraising goal this year is $120,000, with all donations benefitting the local community. Will you help us reach that goal?

Stop by either one of our branches to make a non-perishable and/or monetary donation! 

Thank you, from the whole Horizon CCU Team!

NOTICE: HCCU ATM Removal

Horizon Community Credit Union’s mission is to help our members achieve financial success. Following this mission statement can sometimes require us to make difficult choices. One such choice is the decision to eliminate our Voyager Drive ATM machine. As of December 1, 2015, our ATM will be permanently out of service.

The decision was based on two major factors. First, new changes to ATM/Debit card regulations and EMV chip cards means that a significant investment would be required in order to keep the ATM machine in compliance with new standards. Second, analysis has show that traffic to our ATM has declined significantly as a result of other fee-free ATMs in our immediate neighborhood. After through analysis, HCCU did not feel that the volume of transactions warranted such an investment.

There are several alternatives available to help make the transition seamless. First, there are fee-free ATMs available at the I-43 Business Park Kwik Trip and Capital Credit Union both located on the corner of East Mason Street and Huron Road. Any member with an ATM or debit card issued by Horizon Community Credit Union is automatically a member of the ATM Alliance, a national network of ATMs that our members can use without incurring an ATM service charge. Members can locate a network ATM by visiting the webpage http://www.allianceone.coop/ . You can also download their mobile app at stage.allianceone.coop/mobile-app. As always, Horizon Community Credit Union will never charge a fee for ATM transactions, regardless of who owns or operates the machine. The only fees that our cardholders may be subject to are those charged by the ATM itself. If you use a machine whose owner charges you a fee, you are responsible for paying that fee. Second, there are two ways to avoid those surcharge fees. Platinum SunDrops members are eligible for up to $5 in ATM Surcharge Refunds per month at your request, and if you have a HCCU EcoChecking Account, you are eligible for up to $10 in ATM Surcharge Refunds per month. 

If you have any questions or comments relating to this decision or the fee-free ATM resources available to you, please contact a member of the Horizon Community Credit Union staff by any of the methods below.

Phone: 920-433-0122
Email: info@horizonccu.com
US Mail: 

Horizon Community Credit Union 

PO Box 670 

Green Bay, WI 54305-0670
Fax: 920-433-0165

HCCU VISA Gift Cards

The right size…

The right color…

Goes with everything…

VISA® Gift Cards…

http://ow.ly/TbhIl 

The perfect fit every time! 

They are perfect for everyone on your list this holiday season! It’s the gift of choice that can be used almost everywhere including online merchants.

You choose the dollar amount, from $10 - $500, and they choose where to spend it. Since you choose the amount, there’s no overspending and there’s no fighting for parking spaces or standing in long checkout lines at the mall!

Post by: Cari J.

Wanna Be Scared on Halloween?

It’s the time of year when the leaves turn and everything is pumpkin flavored. It also means festivities and haunted houses around the area.  Here are some of the fun to be had on Halloween--click on the headings for more details about each event!

Terror on the Fox

"Pale Eye Productions and the Green Bay Preble Optimist Club once again bring you world class dark attractions at the area’s most unique location, Terror on the Fox. Whether it be the train ride, the walk through the woods, Camp Ash, Pandemonium or the Ominous Sanctum, one can always be certain that within the shadowless areas, darkness looms."

Green Bay Fear

"Awaiting inside Green Bay Fear Haunted Attractions are the terrors plucked straight from your nightmares. Our pets are biding their time, anticipating you and the delicious screams you'll bring. Housed in these roofs are the stalkers of the night, just waiting for you to round the corner in darkness. This isn't your average haunted house, this is Green Bay Fear Haunted Attractions.... where terror calls home."

The Morgue

"Save yourself while you still have a chance…
Featuring:

• Haunted woods
• Best wait area in the region - NO STANDING in lines! Hang out around the bonfire and wait for your group number to be called!
• HUGE bonfire all night long
• Concession stand
• Free parking
• Big screen for movies and videos
• Three-floor haunted house
• Slide to Hell"

Burial Chamber

"Wisconsin's Burial Chamber Haunted House Complex houses three large, full-size Wisconsin haunted houses for Halloween entertainment--located off of Hwy 41 in the Fox Valley (Appleton, WI), just 30 minutes south of Green Bay, WI or 20 minutes north of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. We are an hour and a half from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Madison, WI and less than 3 hours from Chicago, IL.
We're located just 5 minutes south of the Fox River Mall in Appleton, Wisconsin.Open Rain or Shine!"

A Night to Dismember

"This year’s house will include many new rooms and hair-raising surprises. Over 100 members of North’s Drama Club create the spine-chilling cast of characters that inhabit the house. The popular non-scary flashlight tours will continue to be available during all hours the house is open for younger children or those “weak of heart.” Carnival games, a mini-inflatable haunted house for little ones, a costume contest, and a bake sale in the commons will also be featured. Proceeds from the haunted house will help fund theatre activities and productions at [Appleton] North."

Greenville Station Ghost Tours

"Come join the Fox Valley Ghost Hunters on all new tours for the first time invited into the most terrifying place in Wisconsin the Greenville Station just west of Appleton a few miles"

Trail of Terror

"Trail of Terror takes pride in a quality scare. Trail of Terror, located in Oconto, Wisconsin, is big into sound effects, special effects, quality make-up and an environment guaranteed to make your spine tingle. Trail of Terror is the longest haunted trail in Wisconsin. With over 20 acres of eery woodland, we have a opportunity unique to any other haunted house or trail you’ll explore this Halloween season."

Zombie Shoot

"The Zombies are attacking and it’s up to you to stop them. Take the 20 passenger zombie slaying vehicle into the heart of the zombie village and try to eliminate them. You will be shooting them with special “zombie stopping” TRACER paintballs. They will not be shooting you but they will be trying to infect you and turn you into the walking dead! This is Wisconsin’s best interactive haunt that will keep you at the edge of your seat. Set in a creepy area, zombies will be coming out of castles, pirate ships, and the woods to attack you. Try to survive until the end!!!
Every Friday and Saturday night in October from 7pm-11:30pm at Commando Paintball Sports. Call 920-826-5554 or go to www.commandopaintballsports.com for more details"

Dead by Dawn

"After check in, you are invited to join the daunting host family, who resides in the building permanently, for a bit of an "unhappy" hour. This gathering takes place at the in house watering hole, named the Shrunken Head after it's unique décor, and includes pocket billiards, cold beverages, and hors d’ oeuvres. After 6:00pm you are welcome to roam. Historical downtown Manitowoc offers many wonderful restaurants, pubs, shops, and our very own Maritime Museum all within walking distance.
But…make sure you are back in the building by 11:00pm when the doors will be locked! For your own safety, lights must be out and guests must be in bed by midnight, to accommodate the things that go bump in the night. Remember, you will not get a good night's sleep here…muahahaha!"

Camp 5 Terror

"We are a medium sized haunted house that's very scary and detailed! . Very cost effective. Lots of screams, laughs and family fun."

Haunted Sub & Pub

"Join us for a haunted submarine experience aboard our WW II submarine USS Cobia! Our haunted tours will take place October 30th & 31st from 7:00pm – 11:00pm. Are you brave enough to discover what lurks beneath the surface at night? Cost is $5 per person.
If you survive the tour, hang out in our Sub Pub and enjoy some Halloween-themed refreshments! (Cash Bar)
October 30th & 31st, 7:00pm - 11:00pm
May not be suitable for children under 10."

Scare USA 2015

"Controversy has elevated this event to a new level of fear! A new addition to Scare USA, Toxic Terror, darkly morphed, pressuring you to find your way through the distortion. This side attraction is a trip; your first destination before entering Just About Dead Haunted Attraction. Just About Dead is your classic haunted house that features insanely detailed sets, advanced technology, mixed in with old-school effects and scares. Just About Dead uses the arts of disorientation, phobias, and intense startles to evoke rapid fear. Nothing will prepare you for what's ahead. Escape before you're just about dead."

Halloween Recipes

The SPOOKtacular season is upon us! Whether you’re hosting the big Halloween bash this year, or your kids need to bring a snack to pass at school, I’ve got you covered! Halloween has been around for over 2,000 years, so you can just imagine how many awesome Halloween recipes have been created over that much time. Don't file through the thousands of recipes out there, I did the leg work for you! 

Let’s start with this awesome Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe.  You can bring this as an appetizer to any party this season! This simple-to-make pumpkin uses delicious ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and paprika. It’s as simple as mixing all the ingredients together, and forming it into a pumpkin. Believe me- you don’t have to be an artist to master this one.

Here's a elementary recipe that you can send along with your kids to school parties: Trash mix! Some of the suggested ingredients include: candy corn, caramel corn, pretzels, and gummy worms. When you’re shopping for these items, feel free to bring the kids along to let them pick out their favorite snack to add! After the trash mix is complete, it can be thrown in a big mixing bowl and passed out on napkins... How simple!

I know Halloween isn’t complete without a delicious drink or two--don't you think? What better than a Blood Orange Martini! As you can imagine, most of the ingredients are orange, such as the blood orange juice and orange liqueur. But we also need some Vodka, apple juice and red food coloring. By simply mixing these ingredients together we have a EXQUISITE Blood Orange Martini, ready to go for any party!

Would you look at that! Three SPOOKtacular recipes ready at your fingertips! Click here to get these recipes and more Halloween-themed recipes and ideas. 

Written By: Emily P.  

October is National Cookie Month!

This holiday is for honoring and enjoying the sweet flavor of cookies and sharing them with friends and family. This holiday can bring new fond memories of days to come. Go out and buy a new cookie cutter and enjoy using it by baking cookies for your family. Let today be the day you learn to bake new cookies and learn to decorate them in a new way. Let today be the day you sit down with a glass of cold milk or hot coffee, a plate of fresh made cookies, and have no guilt eating them all.

Rolled Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for a least one hour (or overnight).

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface ¼ to ½ inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on un-greased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Post by: Alice E.

Safe Shopping Tips:

http://ow.ly/TbfhJ 

• Always get your card back. Make sure you get your credit card, debit card, or driver’s license back after completing your purchase. *Keep your cards in the same place in your wallet all the time so you know when one is missing!

• Save your receipts. Keep the receipt for every gift you purchase and ask for a gift receipt to make any returns or exchanges easy for the recipient.

• Keep credit card info at home. Make a photocopy of the front and back of your cards, or write down account numbers and customer service phone numbers in case they are lost or stolen. Don’t forget to update your records when you get new cards in the mail!

• Watch out for scams. Only buy gift cards from reputable retailers (like HCCU), not online auction sites as they could be counterfeit. 

• Be careful with your cash. If you prefer to pay with cash, don’t flash your cash around. Count your cash discreetly out of sight of others. Keep a couple stashes in your wallet and purse instead of just one, that way it doesn't look like such a big stash to the nosey person behind you in the checkout line. Plus if your wallet disappears only some of your cash is gone and not all of it. 

• Keep your browser updated. Whether you use Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox, updating your browser helps ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date security protection.

• Update your anti-virus software. Before shopping online secure your pc by updating your anti-virus or security software.

• Look for the lock online. Only use secure websites for purchases. Look for the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the URL address.