The new smart branch will perfectly meld the high level of friendly service our customers are accustomed to with a range of technological solutions to provide full-service transactions.  New features include:

• Next-generation wireless technology which will enable employees to provide on-the-spot assistance anywhere in the lobby and deliver a more personal level customer service;
• Two, handicap-accessible, digital tech bars which will enable employees to offer one-on-one assistance and tutorials on customers’ personal devices when setting up internet or mobile banking personal features;
• Interactive Teller Machines (ITM) in the two-lane drive up to allow remote connection to a human banker, and are able to complete nearly every transaction you are accustomed to at a traditional teller line including cashing a check down to the penny;
• A walk-up ITM on the exterior of the building to serve customers who wish to quickly and conveniently transact business without having to enter the lobby;
• Teller Cash Machines that can dispense cash allowing our universal bankers to process transactions more quickly; and
• Dedicated rooms equipped with built-in teleconferencing capabilities which will allow our universal bankers to provide face-to-face service to customers who prefer a remote option. 

Buhr continued by stating, “The digital advances we’re going to introduce at this smart branch will not simply be add-ons to outdated banking practices, but rather they are designed to be enhancements to our current banking culture. We’re here to create a welcoming experience where customers feel comfortable transacting business and receiving financial guidance no matter which channel they choose.”
Once completed, the two-story, 15,000 square foot structure will include a retail banking center and two smaller rental units on the first floor.  The bank will occupy 75% of the building with backroom operations claiming space on the second floor. 

With construction anticipated to start at the beginning of February, it will be necessary to close the current Rabbit Trail location on January 30, 2021. Other locations will remain open with normal hours of operations.  As of today, lobbies are only accessible by appointment to ensure the safety of employees and customers during this pandemic. 
While the future impact the pandemic will have on our communities is uncertain, the bank eagerly looks forward to being able to reopen their lobbies and welcome their customers back.

The bank has enlisted the services of Washington Engineering & Architecture, Inc. and Jasper Builders, Inc. to complete this project.  ​
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Would you like to support any of these events through sponsorship?  We have multiple commitment levels available, so you can choose the amount and benefits that work best for your business!  Learn more on our sponsorship blog post, and then sign-up with our online form.  Thank you!

A ribbon cutting was held Thursday, December 17 to celebrate the new location for Creative Touch Paint & Design!
The business, owned by Janet Rudd, offers Interior and Exterior painting, Designing, Faux finishes, Murals, Wallpaper, Furniture and Cabinet painting.  Creative classes will be offered in 2021 as well. 
​The business is located at 5475 Hwy 100, Unit C.  For more information, visit www.creativetouch.design.

*Masks were worn at this event and removed only briefly for the photograph.

The Creative Touch Paint & Design by Janet Rudd Facebook Page is full of work samples and videos.  Their work is amazing and so much fun to watch!

The Washington Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome Tricia Piontek (The Magnet Group) and Kevin Richardson (Zick, Voss, Politte & Richardson, P.C.) to the Board of Directors.  They were chosen through a membership-wide ballot that included four nominees, selected by a committee of past board chairs. 
 
“We’re excited to add Tricia and Kevin to our team.  Both have a great appreciation for our community, and we are grateful for their willingness to serve our Chamber in this capacity,” said Chamber President, Jennifer Giesike.  Board members typically serve two, 3-year terms on the board, although if selected by fellow directors to the Executive Board, additional years can be served.  Piontek and Richardson will replace Dave Politte (Zick, Voss, Politte & Richardson, P.C.) and Casey Zastrow (American Family Insurance), whose terms will end on December 31, 2020.
 
Tricia Piontek has been with The Magnet Group since 2002 and currently holds the position of Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Brands Division.  She served on the Our Lady of Lourdes School Board and is an experienced volunteer, helping plan and execute school auctions, parish breakfasts and dinners, and fundraisers for the Washington Junior ROTC Booster Club.  She and her family enjoy supporting local events and businesses.  Tricia and her husband, Allan, have five adult children – Nicole (Brueggenjohann), Holly (Wunderlich), Sydney, Samuel, and Jackson. 
 
Kevin Richardson is a partner and attorney at Zick, Voss, Politte & Richardson, P.C., where he has worked since 2003.  Kevin has served on the Board of Directors for TEMCO, Inc. and the Franklin County Area United Way and on the Parish Finance Committee at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.  He was President of the 20th Judicial Circuit Bar Association, and was named to the Chamber Outstanding Young Professionals Class of 2013.  Kevin and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Audrey and Will.
 
Piontek and Richardson will join 14 others on the 2021 Board of Directors.
 
Executive Board

• Paul Brune (MFA Co-Op #2) – Chairman
• Andy Robinson (School District of Washington) - 1st Vice Chair
• Jay Nowak (Bank of Washington) - 2nd Vice Chair
• Dan Cassette (Cassette Electric) – Ex-Officio
• Steve Strubberg (Horn Architects)
• Karen Timpe (Legacy Embroidery & Screenprinting)

Board of Directors

• Josh Brinker (Bank of Franklin County)
• Becky Cox (Four Rivers Family YMCA)
• Scott Hillermann (Hillermann Nursery & Florist)
• Joe Maniaci (PFG Fox River Foods)
• Tanya McCormack (Washington Hearing Center)
• Luke Meyer (Citizens Bank)
• Craig Mueller (Imo’s Pizza / Sugarfire Smokehouse)
• Jason Unnerstall (Past Fair Chairman)

In a normal year, it is about the time we would be warning you about influenza (flu) and how you can tell whether you or your child is suffering from the flu or a cold. But as we all know, this is no normal year. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is another threat to your health that can add to the confusion.

These three diseases are somewhat similar – they are all respiratory illnesses caused by viruses. They can all cause coughing, a sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose. Both the flu and COVID-19 can cause a fever, headache, body aches, pains or chills. But, there are ways to tell the difference.

The COVID-19 symptom that stands out, and that you have probably heard about, is a new loss of taste or smell. It also can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, along with nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. These gastrointestinal symptoms are more common in children.

When it comes to telling the difference between a cold and the flu, keep in mind that a cold can cause sneezing and may cause only a low-grade fever or no fever at all.

Even if you know which infection you are dealing with, and you do not need emergency care, it is a good idea to contact your primary care physician. We may want you tested to confirm whether you have COVID-19 or the flu, and one test can be run to check for both viruses. You can then work with your doctor to determine the best treatment and to monitor you in case more aggressive treatment is needed. That treatment will not include antibiotics, which do not treat viral infections.

Here’s the good news with all of these viruses: the actions you take to protect yourself from one of them will protect you from all three. The steps we recommend to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – wearing a face mask around others and staying at least six feet apart – work well. But do not forget about the simpler steps we should always take, such as washing your hands, cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly and staying away from others when you are feeling ill.

You also can protect yourself and others by getting your flu shot. While it is best to get vaccinated in September or October before flu season typically starts, it is not too late. You can still benefit from getting your flu shot.
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A COVID-19 vaccine is on the way, but it will be several months before it is available widely. Please continue to wear a mask in public and keep your social distance while we work to get the vaccine to our patients as quickly as possible. If you have any concerns about a vaccine, please discuss them with your primary care physician. We are here to help you.

Dr. Christina Garretto is a board-certified family physician. She cares for patients of all ages at Mercy Clinic Primary Care – Patients First Drive in Washington. Learn more about her at mercy.net or call her office at 636-239-4100.

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we celebrated a different, but still magical Olde Fashioned Christmas event!  With a small army of volunteers, lights were hung, donated decorations were placed throughout the Main & Elm parking lot and goodies were staged along the route.

Participants received an event booklet with activities and a coloring sheet, crayons, and candy canes early in the line, and then received hot cocoa or cider and sugar cookies as they pulled in front of the Farmers' Market.  A take-home craft packet was given to children as they drove through the decoration display, and after driving past the live reindeer and Mr. & Mrs. Claus, children had a chance to leave a letter for Santa at the North Pole Post Office.

Olde Fashioned Christmas is always a free event, but this year we did encourage participants donate canned goods.  In total, 208 items and $135 were taken to Loving Hearts Outreach after the event.

Our traffic plan worked well for the 300 cars that drove through the event and we saw many excited and grateful smiles. 

​Thank you to everyone that helped make this event a success!

Steven P. Kuenzel Jr. “Steve”, is a Partner at the law firm of Eckelkamp Kuenzel LLP, Washington Mo.  He has worked full time as an attorney at Eckelkamp Kuenzel LLP since 2009, having previously clerked there beginning in 2005.  In addition to his law degree from Saint Louis University, he also received an MBA from Saint Louis University in 2010.  He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for his undergraduate degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Finance and Banking in 2005.
Outside of work, Steve is a member of the Franklin County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Washington Elks, Rotary, Knights of Columbus, and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.  He was a recipient of the Outstanding Young Professional Award, class of 2015.  Steve is also involved in a variety real estate projects and developments throughout the county.  He is married to Colleen M. Kuenzel, who he met in law school and who also received her law degree from Saint Louis University.  They currently reside in Washington with their four daughters, Bailey, Darcy, Samantha, and Rory.
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Carrie Maune has been a resident of Franklin County most of her life.  She grew up in Union and earned a degree in chemistry and biology from University of Central Missouri.  Carrie worked at Romer Labs in Union for 12 years before starting Trilogy Analytical Laboratory with two business partners in 1999.  Trilogy is an analytical chemistry laboratory focused on food and feed safety.  In 2015, Carrie sold her shares in Trilogy, but remains as a Vice President, working in several areas of the company.
Carrie and her husband, Mick, live just outside of Washington, close to Campbellton.  They have been married for 38 years and have enjoyed the many benefits of living in this community and have found it to be a wonderful place to raise their family.   Carrie and Mick have two children - a 27-year old son and a 21-year old daughter.
Carrie is a member of New Life Church in Washington and is active on the Elder Team and Outreach Team.  She has volunteered for a number of groups/events, including Washington FFA, Sheltered Reality Drumming group, marching band functions, and more.  At Trilogy she has worked with East Central College, Washington High School,, and Four Rivers Career Center on Industry-specific projects and education events.  She has also served on the Biotechnology Steering Committee at ECC and the advisory committee for the FRCC health and science groups.
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Tricia (Mohesky) Piontek was born and raised in Washington, Missouri and attended St. Francis Borgia Regional High School.   She and her husband, Allan, live in Washington and have five children.   Jackson (19), Samuel (22), and Sydney (23) are currently completing or have just completed their college careers and are well on their way to putting their stamp on the community; Holly Wunderlich (35) and Nicole Brueggenjohann (36) are both married with families of their own, working on their own successes locally.
 Tricia has risen to the position of Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Brands Division at The Magnet Group.  She began her career as a Customer Service Rep at TMG in 2002 after time as a legal secretary, assistant to an Investment Rep, and physician's office assistant.
Tricia has served on the Our Lady of Lourdes School Board and volunteered for the planning of school auctions, parish breakfasts and dinners.  She helped with many fundraisers for the Washington Junior ROTC Booster Club, helping grow a successful organization.  Giving back to the local community was a priority for her family growing up and a characteristic she and her husband continue to instill in their children.  As a family, they volunteer for local Knights of Columbus events and are members of the American Legion Post 218.  Supporting local events and activities, such as the Annual Relay for Life, Farmers' Market, Sunset on the Riverfront, and Art and Wine Festival, and supporting local organizations such as the United Way and March of Dimes are important the Piontek family, helping to maintain the small town they love so much and giving back to anyone in need.   The Chamber of Commerce seems to be a natural next step and Tricia truly appreciates the opportunity and consideration for this role. 
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​Kevin Richardson is a named partner and attorney at law firm of Zick, Voss, Politte & Richardson, P.C., located in downtown Washington, where he has worked since 2003.  He graduated with Honors from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.  He received his Juris Doctorate from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Kevin has been a board member of the Franklin County Area United Way, serving as both the Campaign Chair and President of the Board of Directors, has been the President of the 20th Judicial Circuit Bar Association, was named to the Washington Outstanding Young Professionals Class of 2013, has been a member of the TEMCO, Inc., Board of Directors, and has served on the Parish Finance Committee at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.  Kevin enjoys playing golf, attending his children’s numerous activities, and following Notre Dame sports.  He is married to Sarah and they have two children, Audrey and Will.