Thursday, July 30, 2015

Proper display of the United States Flag


“It’s a grand old flag, it’s a high-flying flag!” 

 But did you know that there are official days the flag should definitely be flown? There are actually 23 different days throughout the year to proudly fly our flag. Every one knows about Independence Day (7/4) and Flag Day (6/14), but did you know that Easter Sunday is also an official display day? So are Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!

My mother loved getting a small flag pole installed in her yard so she could fly an American flag everyday. She found out that if you fly your flag at night you need to have it lighted – which explains why hers came down at sunset!

 If you fly a flag you need to be sure it’s flown properly - that the field of stars is in the correct position. That on certain days the flag is flown at half-mast (Patriot Day 9/11, National Pearl Harbor Memorial Day 12/7), but on Memorial Day it’s only half-mast until noon.

There are lots of “rules and recommendations” about displaying your flag properly so check out the VFW website. It has information regarding flag history, the Federal Flag Code and how to properly display your flag. Because if you want people to “see by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight last gleaming” you probably want to show it off correctly!!

Post by: Mary D.



Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Tools 4 Schools supply drive!



With a few days away from August already, families are preparing for their children to go back to school soon. We realize that there are children whose families cannot afford the school supplies they need in their classrooms. Here at Horizon Community Credit Union we are all about helping those in our community. Which is why we  decided to start our Tools 4 Schools supply drive last summer. After seeing that with everyone's help we were able to make a difference to the children the tools were going to, we thought we would do our Tools 4 schools supply drive again this year! So, join Horizon Community Credit Union on its second year collecting donations for our Tools 4 Schools supply drive! All donations will benefit two Elementary schools here in our community: Nicolet & Martin Elementary Schools

We are collecting donations now until July 31st (this Friday) and if we raise $750, Pat Josephson (HCCU's President/CEO) will get slimed with a bucket of GREEN JELL-O!! Please help us reach this goal, we promise to share the video! Stop by at either of our locations to make a donation. 

Your donations are greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
-Horizon Community Credit Union

Post by: Karla C.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Chili Cheese Bread-A recipe so simple you will want to make it all the time!

With Football season just around the corner I thought I would share one of my new favorite recipes: Chili Bread. This is a great item to bring to your Fantasy Football draft or to a football party at your friends house. The best part? It’s super easy!
Photo Courtesy of tiphero.com
Ingredients:

1 Can Hormel chili-I have a picky eater in my house so I use the kind without beans

1 loaf of French or Italian Bread-I use Italian bread because it’s a little wider then the French bread

1 16oz block of Velveeta Cheese

Aluminum Foil

Directions:

1.Place a sheet of Aluminum Foil on a cookie sheet. Make sure to use enough foil to wrap up the entire loaf of bread.

2. Hollow out the loaf of bread still leaving a thin layer in the bottom of the bread. Basically you are making a bread bowl. Put the bread that you cut out aside as you will want to use this later for dipping.

3. Place the block of Velveeta cheese inside the loaf of bread. Using a knife or a spoon, hollow out the block of cheese leaving some on the bottom, again making a type of bowl. Put aside the cheese that you took out of the block.

4. Pour the can of chili inside of the hollowed out block of cheese. Cut up cheese that was put aside and place on top of chili.

5. Wrap the bread loaf in foil and bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the chili is warm

6. Cut up or tear pieces of the bread that you set aside. I will also buy Doritos to use as extra dippers with this recipe. The bread won’t last very long!

7. Dip into the chili cheese mixture and enjoy!

Photo Courtesy of Yummly.com
Post by: Katie B.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Need to Make a Change? Come Work at Horizon!



Hey there, I’m Breanna! I’m a part-time Member Service Representative or “MSR,” here at Horizon Community Credit Union. I’ll be celebrating my first year at HCCU in August. Applying at and accepting the offer from HCCU was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and if you get a chance to work here, I think you'll agree!

HCCU is looking for part-time Member Service Representatives. You can see the posted job description here. You might think that working at a credit union would be boring—but you’re wrong! Here are some reasons why I love working at HCCU:

I’m always learning—There are a lot of laws and rules at any given financial institution that an MSR needs to be aware of. I have regular training, and I learn new things about my job every day. I’m also learning member preferences, which makes their experience better.

I get to help people—Money is an integral part of our life in this society. If I can help someone correct an issue or use a product or service to improve their money management, I’m thrilled. Credit unions give back to their members and community, so there’s always an opportunity to help someone.

I’m solving problems—You might already know that there are many ways something can go wrong with your money. It’s my job to do everything within my power to help right that situation, and it challenges me and allows me to help someone at the same time.

Everyone is helpful—HCCU cannot be run by just one person. In order to operate successfully, we work together as a team. We might assist with projects or just assist with some daily duties. It makes the day more enjoyable too.

I have opportunities—the credit union industry is quite active. I can be involved in local credit union or co-op groups, as well as state, national, and international events. I get to network and learn more about our industry.

I have a second family—This is one of the best reasons to work at HCCU. We’re a smaller credit union, which means we get to know each other well. As employees, we look out for each other and care about one another.

So what do you say? Sound like a somewhere YOU want to work? Apply now! There are a few ways to do so!

Email your resume to careers@horizonccu.com

Apply here

Mail your resume to:
Horizon Community Credit Union
Human Resources
P.O. Box 670
Green Bay, WI 54305-0670

You can find a paper copy of the application here. Fill it out and return it to either branch—700 Eastman Ave or 3139 Voyager Drive, both in Green Bay, WI.

We look forward to having you as part of the Horizon Community Credit Union family! If you have any questions or want to know more, feel free to call us at 920-43-0122!

Written by: Breanna B. 

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Happy Birthday Alice!



Happy Birthday to one of our fabulous MSR's Alice!
We hope you have a great day! 

Ways to Save Money

Here are some money saving tips that are easy to do and actually work! I recommend keeping track of how much money you actually save by doing some of these; otherwise you may feel like it’s not really impacting your life. Truthfully, right away it may not seem like it but by bringing lunch to work three times a week can save you anywhere between $15-45. These money saving ideas really can add up and make you feel like you have a money tree!

- Use those coupons! - If you are really into coupons you could learn how to become an expert at extreme couponing!

- Make coffee at home - That way you aren’t spending $2-8 on something that can be done at home for less.

- Always try and pay off your credit card at the end of the month – no one wants to spend money on unneeded interest

- Bring lunch to work – it beats spending $5-15

- Make a list before you go out to do any shopping – you are more likely to stick to your list and spend less money

- Dine in more than you eat out

- Don’t pay for space you don’t need – I think this is a big thing nowadays. People think they need big houses to rent or buy but in the end it cost more money to heat/cool them causing you to spend unnecessary money for space you don’t necessarily NEED.

- Turn off the T.V. & Shut off the lights– This one seems like a no brainer but can be over looked sometimes.

Helpful Tip:
If you want a pair of shoes that cost $60 and you make an hourly wage of $10, think to yourself are these really worth 6 hours of work. Sometimes, all it takes is thinking about the amount of work it would take to pay for a single item to put things back into perspective.
Photo Courtesy of patheos.com
Post by: Chelsea F.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Constructing the Perfect Home

Photo courtesy of www.deeleers.com
Have you ever dreamed of building your own home? What does your perfect home entail? What are the steps for building your dream home? These are all questions that can be answered by attending our Home Building Seminar on October 8, 2015 at 5:30pm at our main branch on 3139 Voyager Drive in Green Bay. We will have a panel of experts who will provide the information that you need in order to successfully build your home. Topics will include choosing the right builder, setting a budget, home design, selecting a property, financing, the draw process and insurance. Our panel of experts will share information on these exciting topics and allow time for answering questions. This event is free to attend so mark your calendars and share with your friends. This is sure to be an exciting seminar. Please stay tuned for more details.


Our panel of Experts will include:
- DeLeers Construction
- Horizon Community Credit Union
- Cornerstone Mortgage
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Resource One Realty
- Title Revolution


Post by: Katie B.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Whitney Park's Music Events!

Beautiful summer days are now upon us! Spending time outside in the wonderful sun is very important; we all know we need Vitamin D! Common outdoor activities may include taking the kids to the swimming pool, walking the dog, or even working in the garden. These activities can be fun for kids and adults of all ages, but why not switch it up sometimes! There is a wonderful series of music events every Thursday in Whitney Park ALL SUMMER LONG! This is a great way to still enjoy the outdoors but in a much different atmosphere.

I know an immediate though may be “oh the kids won’t go to a park and sit still to listen to some music”, NO WORRIES! There is a great playground area right on site that the kids can run around and enjoy themselves, while you get to enjoy the music. And if music isn’t exactly your cup of tea, there are always delicious food trucks near by: Eggs & Bacon Wagon, Skaliwag's, & Nistebox.

Take a chance and visit this wonderful FREE event that’s happening every Thursday from 11:30am- 2pm! For more information regarding each Thursday’s events, check out this website!

Post by: Emily P.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Step into the 21st Century with online and phone banking!

http://bizmology.hoovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/online-banking.jpg

Now more than ever, banking is high tech. Go back twenty years and we didn’t have nearly as many convenient ways to control our finances. It can be easy to get overwhelmed with all of the opportunities, and so it’s possible you’re not taking full advantage of them. To break it down a little bit, there are three main ways you can use technology to make your financial life easier.

1) Online Banking. This is a huge one because of how many things you can do with it and how easy it is to access. Most banks and credit unions offer some type of online banking. Here at HCCU, you can get to your online banking from any mobile device or computer at any time. From there, you can check your balances, transfer money, view and print copies of cleared checks, make a loan payment, balance your check book, and a lot more. You are automatically enrolled in online banking when you set up an account with us, and you’re free to check it as little or as much as you want.

2) Phone Banking. If you have your phone handy, but don’t have access to Internet, don’t fret. There’s still plenty of ways to have peace of mind about your finances. One of those ways is through CU Talk, an automated number that can be used to check balances, verify amounts and dates of transactions and cleared checks, transfer money, make loan payments and check interest rates. The second way is through text banking. This is especially great for doing a quick balance check while you’re in line to purchase something.

3) Online Statements/ Bill Pay. If you’re using online banking, why not get online statements? They’re more secure than paper statements, and you can access current and past statements anytime. Online Bill Pay is another free service that allows you to pay bills just one time or monthly. It saves you a few stamps, and it’s one less thing to worry about each month.

Overall, there are some tech options out there that are free, convenient, and will probably save you some time. So figure out which ones are best for you, ask an MSR how to get set up for any of these services and step into the 21st century!  

Post by: Noelle C.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

College Freshman? Check this out!

As much as we may not want to start thinking about it yet, a new school year is right around the corner. To those high school graduates about to start your first year of college, there are a lot of things to prepare for. Here are some tips to start preparing now:

- Create an academic plan. The idea of planning out the next four years of your life can be daunting, but doing it will save you frustration and time in the future. Since you have to sign up for classes in the summer anyway, try meeting with an academic advisor and make a rough schedule of when you’re going to take your major classes over the next eight semesters.

Make a shopping list. Sitting down and making a list of all the things you’ll need at college is a good idea. A better idea is to make the list in more than one sitting and over time instead. Why start a list now? You can add to it as you think of things over the next couple months, and you will probably be better prepared when the semester rolls around.

Talk to your roommates. Most likely, you’ll be rooming with complete strangers. But they don’t have to be complete strangers. Reach out to them once you find out who they are. Not only will it ease your mind to know a little bit about them, but you can also figure out who’s bringing what. No need for two microwaves.

- Apply for a student loan. If you’re looking for a student loan, The Horizon Community Credit Union Smart Option Student Loan by Sallie Mae is a great choice with three great repayment options and competitive interest rates. You can even apply for a loan through our online banking; also you can check balances, keep track of transaction histories, and make transfers.

Open a checking account. You might want to consider a student checking account; it doesn’t require a minimum balance and doesn’t charge for the first debit card. If you choose to get a debit card, you’ll have an easy way to pay for everyday expenses like food and gas. For those emergency expenses that come up, a credit card might be a good back up as well.

Get your parents involved. And for the parents that want to be a little more involved, we provide See/Jump Authorization. See Authorization allows members to log into their own account online and monitor balances and transactions for another account simultaneously. Jump Authorization allows members to actually conduct transactions on that second account while still being logged into their original account. As an extra precaution, we could set up an overdraft protection from your parents’ accounts to your account so you don’t get charged any overdraft fees.

Some other tips to help you financially once you get to school would be to create a budget and stick to it, keep track of your spending, and take advantage of student discounts. Overall, using this summer to prepare will give you a lot less to worry about at school.

Post by: Noelle C.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to take the whole family! It is a beautiful 700 acre urban wildlife refuge. It features live animal exhibits, educational displays, hiking/skiing trails and various wildlife viewing opportunities. It is the largest park in the Green Bay Park system and home to the second largest wildlife rehabilitation program in Wisconsin.

Some fun things to do:
  • Feed the ducks and geese:You can buy the corn for them at the Observation Building. 
  • You can check out all the cool exhibits at the Nature Center. 
  • Take a slide down the tree slide. 
  • Go see some wildlife while you are on the lookout tower. 
  • Pick up a gift or two at the Stop-n-Gander Gift Shop. 

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is free and open to the public year ‘round. Here are their hours:

April 15 - September 15
Nature Center: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm daily
Observation Building: 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
Hiking Trails: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm daily
Woodland Building and Habi-trek: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm daily
Stop-n-Gander Gift Shop: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm daily

September 16 – April 14
Nature Center: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm daily
Observation Building: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm daily
Hiking Trails: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm daily
Woodland Building and Habi-trek: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm daily
Stop-n-Gander Gift Shop: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm daily

If you're not sure where Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is, they are located at:
1660 East Shore Drive
Green Bay, WI 54302

If you'd like to learn more about Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, visit:
http://www.baybeachwildlife.com/

Pack up the family and head to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary for a fun and exciting filled day! 

Post by: Alice E.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Fourth of July Celebrations 2015

         
Nothing quite says summer like a Fourth of July celebration! Some of you are heading “up north,” while others are staying home. For those staying around the Green Bay area, here’s some local events you can attend to celebrate our nation’s day of independence:

Fire Over the Fox— Downtown Green Bay
1:00 pm -10:30 pm
http://www.fireoverthefox.com/
This is an annual event that offers entertainment throughout the day as well as a fireworks show at night. A must-see if you live in Green Bay!

Celebrate the 4th! – Heritage Hill
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
http://heritagehillgb.org/calendar/july/celebrate-the-4th/
A family fun event that focuses on the history of July 4th, complete with a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Uncle Sam himself!

Independence Day at the Garden—Green Bay Botanical Garden
9:00 am-6:00 pm
http://www.gbbg.org/things-to-do/garden-events/id/268/title/Independence-Day-at-the-Garden-
All veterans and military personnel receive FREE admission to the Botanical Garden!

Oneida 43rd Annual Pow-Wow—Norbert Hill Center
http://www.oneidanation.org/Tourism/page.aspx?id=916
“Join us in song and dance as we honor the Oneida Code Talkers, who received the highest recognition for their service to the United States during World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal.”

For fireworks celebrations across Northeast Wisconsin, check out this list from WFRV Channel 5!

Horizon Community Credit Union wishes you and yours safe and enjoyable Independence Day weekend!

Post By: Breanna B.