MANNY’S

HGTV, the mother of

all TV shelter networks, has
TINY HOUSE
a tiny-house series, “Tiny Emmanual (Manny) Forge believes in fact that it was made in America, and that its Ford
House, Big Living,” produced always working toward an attainable goal. An F150 engine was made locally in Brookpark, Ohio.
adventurer at heart, Manny recently hiked the
by Orion Entertainment. Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which the U.S. Forest
He started sketching out floor plans – how wide is
The series focuses on Service describes as “a treasured pathway
a realistic countertop? He Googled sinks, stovetops,
owners who are already through some of the most outstanding scenic
refrigerators, and furnaces, and he watched a lot of
terrain in the United States.” During his six
designing or building their YouTube videos.
months in the wilderness, he pondered what his
own mini-masterpiece — or next big goal would be and then it came to him
commissioning a builder “I am building a tiny house in a van.” When choosing a furnace he found that there isn’t a
common heating option. Electricity is very inefficient
to create their tiny dream
for heating, he didn’t want to use a wood burning
home... could HGTV be in Manny was so excited about his new goal that
furnace, and ultimately, he decided to heat with a
when he arrived at the airport after completing
Manny’s future? roughly 30-pound propane tank which is mounted
the PCT, he went straight to a car dealership. He
under the van near the rear axle. It’s road rated,
had done his research while on the trail and had
durable, and meant to be exposed.
specially ordered a 2017 Ford transit van which
he had chosen due to its cargo dimensions, the
The next big thing in the van is to build a bathroom.

24 BG @ Play
He will be using a traditional RV toilet, will have a 40-gallon water tank
and a water pump, and a six-gallon water heater. He has chosen a shower
head that is a gallon per minute meaning that a six-minute shower is all
that the water heater can handle and the tank needs 45 minutes to heat
back up again.

When asked what he wishes he had known when he started, he said that
the electrical solar equipment is a lot more expensive than he thought. You
need a solar controller, charger, inverter, and batteries to actually have the
solar set-up “alternative energy source” and it ended up being between
$3,000 and $4,000 when he thought it would be only half that amount.

In addition to solar power, Manny will also have the option to plug in for
electricity. He considered a generator but decided against it because they
are loud and he wants to be discreet. Theoretically, he could have heat for a
week and electricity for three days without doing anything.

Manny doesn’t have any specific use or adventure planned for the van
when it’s finished. The adventure is the process of building the van itself.

If you are interested in learning more about building a home in a van,

Manny recommends the book “From Van to Home” by Mike Hudson. He
bought that book and after reading it, decided this was absolutely an
attainable goal – of which he is almost finished.

BG @ Play 25
TOP VACATION SPOTS Covfefe Contest
The results are in! If there is one thing in common about all BG employees it’s that we all like to work hard, At the end of August, BG decided
play hard, and enjoy our families. Based on an office poll, there are also a few things in common about
where we would decide to repeat a vacation. First, we chose based on weather, second, we ranked places to retire Maxwell House Coffee
where we’ve had good family memories (which happen to be mainly beaches), and last, chose according to which has been served in the
the the food and beverages consumed. kitchen for many years. Associates
were given the opportunity to
#1 BG associates chose Florida as their top vacation spot! When asked “why Florida?”, the answer was
“why not?” The weather, beaches, and Walt Disney World were the main reasons given - which is not a sample both Columbian and Donut
surprise to us Ohioans. Shop coffees.

#2 This one was difficult, so this is the “Caribbean” group. Locations include: Punta Cana, Jamaica, St. Lucia,
the Cayman Islands, Cancun, and Cozumel. The reason: weather, beaches and food. BG folks are just a After a long debate, and two
bunch of Beach Bums! weeks of coffee tasting, the votes
are in... it is with great pleasure to
#3 Las Vegas, Nevada. When asked why; “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” was a common answer. announce: Donut Shop is now being served. Thanks for
Oh, and “the weather”.
the memories Maxwell House—you were good till the
A few others mentioned their international experiences in Greece, New Zealand, and Tanzania. last drop!

POT-LUCK WINNER!
GREG’S PULLED PORK:
Start with a nice size pork shoulder or Boston butt.
Costco, Sams & GFS all sell 2 packs that are about
15 pounds each. Those are all boneless, but you

TOP 10
can do a bone-in pork shoulder if you can find one.

I start the process about 13 hours before I want to

eat. Trim each butt of most of the fat cap, leaving
just a bit for flavoring. Rub each shoulder with a mix
of the following:

• 1/2C Chili Powder

• 1/4C Paprika
• 1T Kosher salt
• 1T Ground Cumin
• 1T Poultry seasoning
• 1T Superfine Sugar
• 1T Garlic powder

That should be enough for 2 butts. You can store

any extra rub in an airtight container for future use.
You will need to reserve a bit for the mop recipe 1. 2018 Cleveland Heart Ball - at the Cleveland Museum of
below. Art on June 2, 2018, sponsored by BG
After rubbing each butt, wrap in plastic wrap and 2. Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame - Capture the ever-evolving spirit
refrigerate for 2 hours. I typically use 1/2C of each, mix it together, and toss
it with the pulled pork. That’s what you had at the of rock and roll
When you are ready to cook, set your smoker for lunch, though I only used about half the total mix on
250°F and once the temperature in the barrel 4 butts. You can also toss the pulled pork in a BBQ 3. Playhouse Square - The country’s largest performing arts
stabilizes, put the butts on the grill rack. These sauce, but I prefer to let my guests sauce it as they
see fit. The meat is pretty good just on it’s own!
center outside of New York
must be cooked on indirect heat, which most
smokers inherently are. After placing the butts
To make the mop, mix the following together in a 4. Marble Room Cleveland Steak and Raw Bar - Upscale
on the grill, top each one with 1 cup of dark brown
sugar. Let cook for 3 hours before mopping so you sauce pan: chophouse in an opulent historic bank building
get a good bark formed.
• 1C BBQ Sauce 5. Cleveland Sports - Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers,
After the bark has formed, mop (recipe below) the • 1C White Vinegar
• 4T Frank’s Hot Sauce Cleveland Browns
butts every 60-90 minutes until they reach an
internal temperature of 195°F, could take a total • 2T Pulled Pork Rub
of 8-12 hours on the grill depending on the size of • 4T Pick-a-pepper sauce (Heinen’s) 6. The Corner Alley - Bites | Beer | Bourbon | Bowling
the butt.
Combine all ingredients, blending well. Heat slowly 7. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo & Greater Cleveland
Once they reach 195°F, remove from grill and wrap to a slight simmer, but do not boil! Hold warm for Aquarium - A world of experiences viewing animals and
in foil. Wrap foil in a blanket and rest in a cooler for service. Enough for 1-2 butts. Double or triple if
an hour. Remove butts from foil and reserve any more. aquatic life from around the world
juices. Shred the pork and toss out any fat that
didn’t render out. Once the pork is shredded, add Regarding the BBQ Sauce, I used Sweet Baby Rays 8. Great Lakes Science Center - A place to make science,
the reserved juices back in and toss. original, but if you have the time and courage, you technology, engineering, and math come alive
can make your own sauce.
At this point, you can serve the pulled pork as-is. 9. West Side Market - Cleveland’s oldest publicly owned mar-
Or, you can season it a bit with equal parts garlic
powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper.
ket offering fine meats and fresh vegetables, fresh seafood,
baked goods, and dairy and cheese products
10. Great Lakes Brewery - Celebrate the abundance of the
Great Lakes Region with every beer, dish, and story they
share
26 BG @ Play
 Employee pet match
They say pets resemble their owners...Do you think you can match each pet to the proper
owner? The answers are located at the bottom of this page.

Jane Knipp Sharon Miller Audra Vrotsos Dan Norton

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Erica Larson Victoria DehMalo Erica Bauerbach

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Jeff Zellers
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Erica Larson: Piper, Victoria DehMalo: Bonnie & Finn, Erica Bauerbach: Deborah, Jeff Zellers: Harry
Answers: Jane Knipp: Riggins, Sharon Miller: Miss Marley, Audra Vrotsos: Jetta, Dan Norton: Evanston, BG @ Play 27
 HEALTH &
WELLNESS
EMPLOYEE HEALTH FAIR
BG has always taken an active interest in the health of its helping associates understand areas in need of immediate
Thank you to
associates. 2017 brought a stronger focus to the well- attention to improve their health. A healthy breakfast of our Vendors!
being of our associates by offering a heart healthy Lunch & fresh fruit, oatmeal, and low-fat muffins were waiting for
Learn in May, attendance at the 2017 Cleveland Heart Ball each employee as they finished their screening.
in June, hosting a Health & Wellness Expo in September, • Ergonomically Correct
competing in Cleveland area marathons, and the Tough
WELLNESS EXPO • Mike the Strongman
Mudder, and creating and sustaining personal weight loss
agendas. BG concluded the health-focused day of events with a • By Hand: Massage - Therapy
Wellness Expo inviting outside health vendors in-house to
and Body Work
demonstrate ways of adopting healthier lifestyles. They
also donated some awesome raffle prizes! Danielle Briscoe • Medical Mutual of Ohio
Perry was “on hand” to massage away job-related stress,
• American Heart Association
while Brigid DiPaola, a hydration specialist with Central
Wellness demonstrated healthy alternatives to soda and • Fight Fit
other sugary drinks. • Central Wellness
• Dr. Richard Betor
Walking by ergonomic strategist Dave Pfeil’s table, was
both impressive and educational. His cleverly displayed • Bryan Cohen - BG Safety
skeleton seated at a laptop showed what happens to our Specialist
spine when we use poor ergonomics at our desk. Dave
HEALTH SCREENINGS shared all kinds of good advice to help us reduce the risk of
On September 25th, BG’s day started with free health back aches, stiff necks, and wrist and arm pain.
screenings, giving associates a snapshot of their overall
health. Utilizing a finger-stick, associates “donated” a Other vendors represented were nutritionist Mike the
small amount of blood to learn what their cholesterol, Strongman, Diane Hawke from Medical Mutual of Ohio,
triglyceride, and glucose levels were. Visiting nurses also BG’s newest friend, Molly Palmer with the American Heart
checked blood pressure and pulse and calculated body Association, Sarah Fox from Fight Fit, Kelly from the Betor
mass index. Results were tabulated and shared instantly Cosmetic Dental Group, and BG’s very own safety specialist
Bryan Cohen.

To ensure good health: Eat lightly,

breathe deeply, live moderately,
cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain
an interest in life.
- William Londer

28 BG @ Play
 FINANCIAL HEALTH MIND & BODY CONNECTION

INVESTING INSIGHTS
FROM THE DESK OF GEOFF ENGEL

Many of you participate in BG’s 401K retirement is generating 3%, but there is a 1.5% administrative
plan. Although I am not an investment professional, I fee you would be better off investing in a fund that
have worked with our 401K plan advisors for over 27 generates 2.5%, but only charges .5% in fees.
years and have learned some very valuable information
I’d like to share with you.
Finally, a good investor needs to have a good defense
to be successful. It would be worth it for you to do
One of the overriding principles to investing is under- your research on any given fund before fully invest-
standing that no one knows what the new “hot stock”, ing. Why? Timing. For example, both conservative
“hot sector”, or “hot style” will be, and no one knows and risky funds, respectively, may earn 8% over a
if stocks will be “up” a year from now. If it was known 5-year span, but in two very different ways. The more
that an investment was going to make money over conservative fund might not lose money, but earns 8%
the next twelve months, then why wouldn’t you invest in 5 years. The riskier fund is volatile. It may still earn
every penny and retire early? The answer is simple, the 8% over 5 years, but loses 10% the first year, loses
a certain stock, market sector, or investment style’s 8% the next, earns 2% the following year, etc. With
performance cannot be predicted with any degree of the risky fund you take the chance your money may or
certainty. A wise investor will diversify his/her funds. may not be there when you need it.

Diversifying is not as complicated as it seems. Let Periodically, our 401K investment advisors and my-
me explain. There are different asset classes (stocks, self host a lunch and learn to discuss the status of our
bonds, and cash), different investment styles (growth 401K plan and provide basic investment advice. They
vs. value), different types of stocks (small, mid, and have a form you can complete helping you determine
large cap), and different types of bonds, (short-term, how much risk you are comfortable taking with your
long-term, top-rated, and junk bonds). Diversify your investments. You can always call them to get individu-
money by investing a percentage of it in stocks, bonds, al, personalized advice as well.
and cash. Diversify your stock investments by allocat-
ing the money among different investment styles and
Anyone can be a good investor. All it requires is time,
types of stock. Diversify your bond investments by
patience, discipline, and a little research!
allocating the money among government, corporate,
and international bonds. These investment options are
covered by the 15 different mutual funds available in
BG’s 401K plan.

An additional sound piece of advice is to invest in

mutual funds, providing a low-cost structure. Mutual
funds charge fees to manage the money in the fund.
There are thousands of mutual funds and only so
many stocks or bonds to buy. You may increase your
chances of having above average returns if you invest
in funds that charge less in fees than funds of a similar
investment. This is especially true where returns have
been in the low single digits. For example, if the fund

BG @ Play 29
 BG HAPPENINGS
WEDDING NEWS

Bobby & Traci Plouffe

Pat & Kayla McKelvey

David & Rebecca Fisher

“When I saw you, I fell in love,

and you smiled because you
knew.”
Dan & Molly Norton Chris & Sesá Patterson
- Arrigo Boito

CONGRATULATIONS TO BG ASSOCIATES ON THEIR MARRIAGES!

MAY YOU SHARE LONG AND HAPPY LIVES TOGETHER!
30 BG @ Play
BABY NEWS
CONGRATULATIONS TO
BG ASSOCIATES ON THEIR
GROWING FAMILIES!

JUDE MICHAEL

Proud Parents: Ryan &

Jacqueline Carlson

FISCHER WALTER CARLING JANE

Proud Parents: Andrew & Proud Parents: Tadhg &

Tika Krueger Jane O’Crowley

HALEIGH FITZGERALD

Proud Parents: Danny

McGinty & Ariel Zubarev

JAKE ALEXANDER JACKSON BRADLEY

Proud Grandparents: Geoff Proud Parents: Brad &

& Joni Engel Megan Ferguson

CHARLOTTE MARIAN

Proud Parents: Jason &

BG @ Play 31
Christina Polster
senior managers’ party
“Ugly Christmas sweater contest”

Winners!

Geoff and Joni Engel

www.brewer-garrett.com

800-686-6869 • 440-243-3535 • Corporate: 6800 Eastland Road, Middleburg Hts., Oh 44130