Ghosts, goblins, and ghouls - OH MY!
Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people believed that on October 31st, the lines between the living and the dead were blurred. The Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. With All Saints Day and the start of the Celtic new year falling on November 1st, the night before became known as All Hallows Eve (later known as Halloween).
Over time Halloween has evolved into a festive holiday where children dress in costumes and take to the streets going door-to-door asking for candy. Many adults enjoy hosting spooky Halloween parties or carving Jack-O-Lanterns with their children. Some individuals appreciate the fun of the holiday while others prefer a good scare! Whichever your preference, October is a great time to take Halloween safety into consideration.
Take the time to discuss Halloween Safety with your child throughout the month of October. Choose costumes that are easily seen and offer reflective capabilities. Always send children trick-or-treating with an adult. Only visit homes you know. Let's enjoy this holiday and STAY SAFE!
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Breathing a dangerous gas each day without even knowing it! |
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Unsafe levels of Radon are found in nearly 6 million homes across the U.S. but many residents don't even know they have a problem.
Tasteless, colorless, and odorless, Radon is far scarier than any ghost or goblin that may be spotted on Halloween.
Test your home today to be sure the air you're breathing is safe.
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Employee Birthdays
Oct 3 - Madison Davidson
Oct 10 - Alan Hebert
Oct 16 - Melissa Brown
Oct 16 - Mike Fazio
Oct 19 - Lassandra Von Appen
Oct 28 - Michelle Martin
Oct 29 - Marie Lessard
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Anniversaries
1 year - Larry Romano, Facilities
2 years - Spencer Gray, Quality
2 years - Jacob LePage, Production, Vials
3 years - Thom Pickett, IAQ
6 years - Brandon George, Production, Plates
12 years - Kate MacKinnon, Food Micro
16 years - Kalena Leathers, Production, Specialty
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Kate MacKinnon - General Manager, Westbrook |
NEL clients depend on Kate’s many years’ of technical expertise to ensure that they remain compliant with regulations within their industries. Because of this, NEL is known as the go to laboratory for businesses throughout Maine requiring analytical testing services.
We recently had a chance to chat with Kate about her time at NEL and here's what she had to say:
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Can you tell us a little bit about your current job responsibilities at NEL?
Kate: As Lab Director and General Manager of the Westbrook Division I directly oversee the Food Microbiology Laboratory and assist with overall Management of the Indoor Air Quality Labs which entails the Mold, Asbestos and Radon labs.
How have those responsibilities changed since you first started at NEL?
Kate: I actually worked for NEL in the summer of June 2005 as an intern and then in May 2006-August 2007 in the Food and Water Microbiology Laboratory in the Winslow location. In 2007 I left to get my Masters Degree at USM in Biology. In 2009 I was hired back as a Food Micro Analyst when the Portland NEL location only had this one department. I was promoted to Technical Director of the Food Microbiology Lab in May of 2010. In October of 2018 I became the Laboratory Director/General Manager and by this time we had acquired the Radon, Asbestos and finally the Mold lab at the Westbrook Division.
What do you love about working at NEL?
Kate: NEL provides me with flexibility and great benefits. For someone with kids, this is really important. I have always felt supported and have learned a lot during my career here. The employees of NEL are a wonderful, close knit group of people that work well together. Many have been at NEL for a very long time or their whole career because of the excellent work environment at NEL.
If you could tell the world something they may not know about NEL, what would it be?
Kate: NEL is well known within the State of Maine for its analytical testing laboratories, but its largest department is custom media manufacturing that provides media to customers around the world.
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Interesting Dates in Science History |
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October 3, 1950
October 5, 1713
October 6, 1941
October 10, 1911
October 13, 1821
October 18, 1931
October 24, 1861
October 27, 1992
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The transistor was patented by Shockley, Bardeen, and Brattain.
Louis Lumiere was born. Later known for making the first motion picture in 1895, invented camera equipment for making movies, and created a projector for viewing movies.
Electric photography, now referred to as xerography or photocopying, was patented by Chester Carlson.
Henry Ford received a patent for an automobile transmission mechanism.
Rudolf Virchow was born. He was the German scientist referred to as the "Father of Pathology" and the founder of the field of Social Medicine.
The famous inventor Thomas Alva Edison died in West Orange, NJ, at age 84.
The first transcontinental telegraph system was completed, making it possible to transmit messages rapidly (by mid-19th-century standards) from coast to coast.
Nintendo of America copyright registered the configuration of its hand-held game machine.
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Upcoming Events:
Mid-Maine Chamber's B2B Showcase - Harold Alfond Athletic Center at Colby
October 19, 12:00pm - 6:00pm
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227 China Road
Winslow, ME 04901
120 Main Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
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* Disclaimer: this newsletter is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute legal or medical advice, and should not be construed as such. |
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