Packers

Some of you know that I am the holder of Green Bay Packer season tickets.  The schedule just came out.  And it was announced that Brett Favre's #4 will be retired at the Thanksgiving Day night game with the Bears.  I can't understand why I am getting so many requests to attend that game with me!  LOL. 

Bankers Without A Pen

Last night was the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's spring gala.  Always a fantastic time and cause.  Last night alone over $450,000 was raised for Type 1 Diabetes research!!  One of the more humorous times was when a pen was needed for filling out a form and out of 6 bankers at the table, no one had a pen!!

What A Day

I have a tough schedule today.  Brewer opener followed by UW win over Duke!  Make 'em believe!

Granddaugher's Blog

I have a granddaughter, Lydia Eager, who is spending a semester in Alicante, Spain.  She has a blog and has convinced me she's got her head screwed on right.  Her blogs are incredible.  But as we approach Easter weekend, a couple things she has blogged are very pertinent.  " If you are reading this, please breathe in, breathe out, and thank God for this beautiful world we have and life we are living."  Another quote:  "  While the week leading up to Easter is not nearly as important (in Spain) as in other places, I hope anyone reading this does their best (even if not Christian) to spend this week feeling nothing but gratitude."

Happy Easter ..... and go Badgers!

Frank the Tank

If you haven't picked up a copy of the recent Sports Illustrated with Frank Kaminsky on the cover, you should.  Good, interesting article.  Go Badgers!

Sun is Shining

It is fantastic to see the change in peoples' moods as a result of the sun and warmer air! 

Spring

50 degree temperatures next week!  Boo yah!

Hoqw About Those Badgers

It is so refreshing to be a fan of the UW men's basketball team!  When we hear so much about individuals in sports who set a poor example for our youth, with the UW guys we have a group who we'd all like our kids to emulate.  Congratulations to some great people for their Big 10 championship. 

Right To Work

Can someone tell me why opposition claims Right to Work is bad for workers?  If it is so important, wouldn't those currently in unions want to remain.  So what's the issue?  Or is it big government telling us they know what's right for us again?  Right to work does not take away the right to join a union does it?  What am I missing?

Mayor of Fitchburg

Our current Mayor, Shaun Pfaff came in second in yesterday's primary.  I can only say it is my opinion that Shaun has done an excellent job as Mayor. 

Vote

A number of communities, including Fitchburg, have primaries next Tuesday, February 17.  Turnout is usually very low.  But these elections are important.  Exercise one of your most important freedoms and vote next Tuesday!

Vaccines

This year's flu season was expected to be bad and it is mostly living up to that expectation.  Even those who have been vaccinated are at risk, because of mutations in the virus that came about after the vaccine was designed.  Even so, health officials say it still pays to get vaccinated, as its the best way to reduce the chances you'll get the flu and spread what can be a deadly disease. 

Interest Rates

After the Fed Open Market Committee yesterday, their announcement implies no change in interest rates for next few months.  But longer term uncertain. 

Ouch!

I'm still suffering from "the" game last Sunday.  Can't imagine how those guys feel.

Dangerous Jobs

I came across some interesting information recently regarding risky occupations.  You would think that the most dangerous is being a police officer or a fireman.  But according to fatality statistics being a fisherman is by far the most dangerous.... 200 deaths per 100K.  Fireman have 4.4 deaths per 100K and police around 13.  Other professions with more on-the-job fatalities than cops and firemaen are airline pilots with 57 fatalities, loggers, roofers, sanitation workers and farmers. 

Go Pack Go

I was at the Packer/Cowboy game yesterday with 4 grandchildren, 3 daughters and 2 son-in-laws.  What a special place Lambeau Field is!  The trip home was also fun;  much more so than it would have been with a loss.  Recommend it for everyone's bucket list!

Interest Rates

Each year I get guesstimates from all of our officers on what they feel the prime rate will be by year end.  For 2014 several of our officers guessed 3.25%, which is where the prime rate ended up.  One of our more accurate guessers is saying the 2015 ending prime will be up to 4.00%.  Only a couple officers are predicting rates not to increase. 

Good Year

2014 has been an excellent year for Oak Bank.  We are blessed with great associates, clients, directors and shareholders.  I just want to wish you a prosperous and healthy 2015! 

Last Minute Shopping

Some of you may be heading out of the office early today to do a little last minute holiday shopping for friends and family.  How you go about that shopping is probably quite different from even five years ago when people primarily shopped in person and usually went to the shopping mall if they were looking for a variety of items.  Some 1,500 malls were built between 1956 and 2005, but barely 1,000 malls remain today (not one new mall has been built since 2006).

Lump of Coal for Christmas

I came across an interesting story on the connection of coal with Christmas.  As we know, our Western culture legend has it that naughty children wake up Christmas morning to find their stockings filled with lumps of coal instead of the desired toys and delicacies.  The negative association between coal and Christmas dates back thousands of years.  In folklore, people's homes are entered via the fireplace, bearing gifts for well-deserving boys and girls and coal for the badly behaved.