Slipped on the Ice

As we all know these are treacherous times to be walking out of doors. Ice can become a problem at the most unexpected time. Well, I found out last Thursday just how dangerous the ice can be. While walking to the gym in Evansville for a granddaughter's basketball game, I all of a sudden found myself writhing on the ground in pain. I knew I had done something pretty bad to my left knee.

Unable to get up by myself, someone eventually came along and helped me up. Fortunately my wife was already in the gym. She drove me to the St. Mary's Emergency Room where I was diagnosed with a ruptured quad tendon. Tomorrow I have surgery to reattach it.

So I may be absent for a few days. I"m looking forward to the surgery so I can start to get back to normal.

Take care.

A New Era

Regardless of how I voted last November, I have been pleased so far with President Obama's appointees and how he is addressing the pressing issues. Sure, no one is perfect. But overall, I think the nation has a bit of renewed enthusisam and optimism about the future. That is good!

Economy in 2009

I had the opportunity yesterday to hear Dr. Evans, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago speak on the economy and his outlook for 2009 and 2010. He left no doubt that he thinks 2009 and early 2010 will see more unemployment nationally. He does feel we may see some improvement in latter 2009, but it will be a slow process to get us back to a normal level.

Brrrr!

Being a Yooper I think I know what it takes to keep warm in severe cold weather. If I didn't, I probably would be be a frozen statistic up there.

Wearing wool clothing cannot be over emphasized. And footwear that keeps your feet dry. And then a good hat with cover for your ears. A scarf wrapped around the neck keeps the wind out.

I also think its a good idea to keep your car's gas tank full. Each time you fill up, add a bottle of gas d-icer to keep your fuel line from freezing up. The fuel line can freeze even when the car is on the road if you don't take these precautions.

Remember your pets safety when you have to take them out!

Enjoy!

Stock Price

We recently had an evaluation done on our holding company stock. Keep in mind that the Bank is a subsidiary of Oak Financial, Inc., the holding company. The evaluation was done by the accounting firm WIPFLI. Their formula for arriving at the value is book value of stock multiplied by 150% (normal premium paid by an acquirer for control of a community bank) less a discount of 25% due to lack of marketability for the stock and because most transactions would involve minority stock interests.

Got it?