A Holiday Tradition, Made Together

For Celia Remijio, the holidays mean family, tradition, and tamales. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, Celia and her mother, Lela Remijio, who both work at the Douglas County Attorney’s Office, gather in the kitchen to continue a tradition that started about 15 years ago and traces back even further.

Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made of seasoned meat, in this case pork, wrapped in corn masa, enclosed in corn husks, and steamed until tender. For the Remijio family, they represent more than a meal. They carry history, culture, and care in every step of the process.

“We make tamales for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year,” Celia said. “We make pork tamales using a family recipe that has been around for many years and started with my Grandma.”

What began as a way to honor family roots has become a cherished holiday ritual filled with laughter, connection, and shared memories. “It’s very fun, and we always have a great time,” Celia said.

At Douglas County, traditions like these remind us that the season is about more than schedules and deadlines. It is about family, culture, and the moments we pass down from one generation to the next.

Spreading Holiday Cheer, One Decoration at a Time

At the Douglas County Health Center, the MDS office believes joy belongs in the workplace. Last year, the team started a new Christmas tradition by decorating their office, and the holiday spirit quickly caught on.

What began as a seasonal touch grew into a yearlong tradition. The MDS office now decorates for holidays and seasons throughout the year, creating a warm and welcoming space for fellow employees and residents.

Nurses Pam Davies, Cara McNerney, and Mary Murren lead the effort with a simple goal: spread joy and good cheer. Their decorations brighten the workspace, spark conversations, and bring smiles to those who pass by.

The MDS team, which stands for Minimum Data Set nurses, plays a critical role in the Health Center. MDS nurses are registered nurses or licensed practical nurses responsible for completing detailed clinical assessments for residents in long-term care and skilled nursing settings. Their work supports care planning, quality improvement, and ensures accurate federal reimbursement.

Through creativity and connection, the MDS office shows that even small traditions can make a meaningful difference and that a little holiday spirit can lift others all year long.

A Christmas Morning Full of Clues and Connection

For Caden Miller, the holidays bring a sense of adventure, teamwork, and surprise. Caden, who works at the Douglas County Health Department, shared a favorite family tradition that turns Christmas morning into a scavenger hunt.

Each year, as Caden and his siblings open gifts, one present stands out. Inside is not a toy or a sweater, but a small piece of paper. That note serves as the first clue in a scavenger hunt leading to their main gift. Caden’s dad has kept the tradition going for many years, making each hunt more challenging than the last.

“This last Christmas, I had to drive to my old high school and decipher what the paper said,” Caden shared. One clue led to another, including a stop at the large school sign near their home, before finally revealing the surprise.

The tradition brings more than excitement. It brings the family together. The siblings work as a team to solve each clue, laugh through the process, and build memories along the way.

For the Miller family, Christmas is not just about opening presents. It is about shared moments, creativity, and the joy of doing something together.

A Career of Service: Patrick Bloomingdale Receives 50 Over 50 Community Award

Douglas County Chief Administrative Officer Patrick Bloomingdale has been recognized as a 2025 50 Over 50 Nebraska Community Award recipient, an honor celebrating leaders whose service has made a lasting impact across the state.

Bloomingdale has dedicated decades to Douglas County, serving more than 10 years as Deputy County Administrator before being appointed Chief Administrative Officer in 2013. In his role, he oversees the implementation of policy directives from the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, manages administrative staff and department directors, and ensures county government operates efficiently and effectively. His work requires strategic planning, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of the legal, financial, and operational functions that keep the county moving forward.

Despite the recognition, Bloomingdale remains grounded in his commitment to service.

“I honestly was surprised by this award and being nominated,” he said. “I do this work because I enjoy being a public servant, not because I am looking for recognition.”

Bloomingdale's career reflects what public service looks like at its best. His steady leadership, institutional knowledge, and dedication to accountability continue to strengthen Douglas County and the communities it serves.

Start Small. Start Again. Start Strong.

As we step into 2026, goal setting often comes with pressure to do more, be more, and change everything at once. Real progress, however, rarely happens through big, dramatic shifts. It happens through small, intentional steps taken consistently over time.

Setting realistic goals means giving yourself permission to start where you are. It might mean focusing on one habit instead of five, blocking 10 minutes for movement instead of an hour, or committing to one positive change you can sustain. Small goals build momentum, confidence, and clarity. Those wins add up.

And if you fall off track, that is OK. Starting over is not failure. It is resilience. Growth does not require perfection, just persistence. As the new year unfolds, remember that progress counts, rest is allowed, and every day offers another opportunity to begin again.

Try This: A Simple New Year Reset

Take five quiet minutes and reflect on the prompts below. You can write them down, think them through, or revisit them throughout the year.

• What is one small goal I can realistically commit to this month?
• What support or habit would help me stay consistent?
• If I fall off track, what would starting again look like for me?

Action item: Write your goal somewhere visible. Calendar it, note it on your phone, or place it on your desk. Progress begins with intention, and intention begins with clarity.

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, all disabled and or blind veterans in Nebraska will qualify for a new motor vehicle tax and fee exemption for one personally owned vehicle. The exemption comes from LB650, passed and signed into law in 2025, and reflects Nebraska’s commitment to honoring those who served.

The law defines an eligible disabled veteran as someone who served on active duty, separated under honorable conditions, and has a verified service-connected disability, including those rated at 0 percent, or someone receiving disability compensation, retirement benefits, or a pension through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or a military department.

To receive the exemption, veterans must apply through the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs Military and Veterans Registry so eligibility can be verified. Veterans already in the registry must update their information with an NDVA state service officer or their county veterans service officer. Veterans should apply in advance, as approved information may take up to 48 hours to appear in the DMV system.

When registering in person, qualifying veterans must notify the county treasurer's staff. Online renewals require selecting the “Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption” option. Requests must be made within 30 days of purchasing a vehicle or before the registration expiration month ends.

Benson Elmore, director of the Douglas County Veterans Service Office, said offices are ready to assist veterans with the process.

“We have already had a number of veterans reach out with questions, and this is something our office can help with,” Elmore said.

Veterans in Douglas County who need assistance may call the Douglas County Veterans Service Office at 402-444-7180. More information is available at veterans.nebraska.gov/vehicletax.

Mental Health Services through BCBS

• Support and resources are available to BCBS plan participants. 

• Visit NebraskaBlue.com/MentalHealth to find: 

  • • Emergency response contacts and mental health resources.

    • In-network doctors and therapists for in-person or virtual visits.

    • Nurse-supported programs that are included with your health plan.

    • Detailed information to help you identify mental health issues and how to get help.

• In crisis?  

  • 988Lifeline: Call or Text 988

  • Boys Town 24/7 Crisis Hotline: 800-448-3000

    • Open 24/7 and staffed by specially training Boys Town counselors

457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

• Allows for pre-tax deductions to save for retirement.

• Options available through 2 vendors - Voya or Nationwide.  

• What is a 457 plan? Read more here. 

• Look up vendor contact information in the Benefit Guide (page 34) on the new benefits website. 

YMCA Membership Fees - Payroll Deduction

• Employees may elect to pay YMCA membership fees through payroll deductions on the second check of each month. 

• Checkout the Benefit Guide (page 18) for more information.  

Congratulations!

RETIREMENTS

• Duane McClain - County Attorney

• Sheila Harrington - Community Mental Health Center

• Paul Schmitz - Corrections

• Creighton Fleming - Corrections

• Val Tsed - Corrections

• Laura Kozol - Health Center

• Velma Chavous - Health Department

• Phillip Rooney - Health Department

• Eric Sellers - Sheriff

• Annette Johnson - Sheriff

• Markle Hunt - Sheriff

PROMOTIONS

• Simon Meyof - Community Mental Health Center

• Austin Hiers - Corrections

• James McNally - Corrections

• Adam Koenig - Corrections

• Charles Diede - Corrections

• Jason Casady - Emergency Management

• Diana Gross - Health Department

• Jennifer Benitez Albiter - Health Department

• Mitchell Stever - Sheriff

• Brianna Christianson - Sheriff

• Adam Vail - Sheriff